1959 Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Tasted 11 Times With Consistent Notes It is interesting to note that many 1959s, much like the 1982s, were maligned for lacking both acidity and aging potential. How does one explain the fact that many 1959s are less evolved, as well as richer, fresher, and more complete than many 1961s? For example, as great as the 1961 La Mission is, the 1959 is a richer, deeper-colored, more concentrated and powerful wine. It needs at least 3-5 more years of cellaring to reach its plateau of maturity. Spicy and super-concentrated, with a dense, plummy/purple color, this young, broodingly backward, formidably-endowed wine should be at its best before the end of the century and drink well for the first 20-25 years of the next millennium.

Very dark – darker than the 1961 – with the colour still right out to the rim. More concentrated and even sweeter than the 1961, with which it is inevitably compared. Very powerful and dense. Luscious, long and tense. Sweet, very rich, rather medicinal. Wonderful stuff. (JR)

Tasted 11 Times With Consistent Notes It is interesting to note that many 1959s, much like the 1982s, were maligned for lacking both acidity and aging potential. How does one explain the fact that many 1959s are less evolved, as well as richer, fresher, and more complete than many 1961s? For example, as great as the 1961 La Mission is, the 1959 is a richer, deeper-colored, more concentrated and powerful wine. It needs at least 3-5 more years of cellaring to reach its plateau of maturity. Spicy and super-concentrated, with a dense, plummy/purple color, this young, broodingly backward, formidably-endowed wine should be at its best before the end of the century and drink well for the first 20-25 years of the next millennium.