1962

Howard_Cooper · August 11, 2021, 1:19am

Loved the 1962 Mouton, but I think I had it around 40 years ago.

Jud_Reis · August 11, 2021, 1:32am

Have had a couple of well stored Ducru Beaucaillou’s from1962 which were superb. I think the vintage in Bordeaux has been under rated given how strong 61 was. Storage of course is everything.

Nathan_Smyth · August 11, 2021, 1:34am

Are you talking about a library release of individual bottles, each of which would have been sitting [bottled] in the winery since disgorgement [maybe circa the 1970s]?

Or are you talking about 1962 bottles which were finally disgorged [is that a word?] only very recently?

And this is an incredibly stupid question, but is there anything like a “Canteiro Madeira” involved in the making of Champagne - some big vat of Chardonnay [or Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier] which could be upwards of a century old?

Scott_Brunson · August 11, 2021, 1:46am

Dude…

Howard_Cooper · August 11, 2021, 2:14am

Just means I am old.

Paul_Miller · August 11, 2021, 2:26am

No. But this thread depresses me. Not a lot of good stuff my birth year, except hugely expensive Burgundy.

But cheers to you and your wife. I know that you will make it work. I have faith.

Jonathan_Jetter · August 11, 2021, 2:31am

Several Rioja options out there for <=$300/bottle.

Mark_Golodetz · August 11, 2021, 3:21am

I have had better luck with Gruaud 1962 than a previous poster.

Mel_Knox · August 11, 2021, 4:15am

1962 suduiraut

Fred_Daniels · August 11, 2021, 4:27am

Another vote for '62 Latour. Sauternes are good…Yquem excellent but not great, you can do just fine with Suduiraut, Coutet, Climens. Happy Birthday!

PCLIN · August 11, 2021, 11:14am

I had two ‘62 Latour over the last 3 years, both showed brilliantly.

Brad_Baker · August 11, 2021, 11:43am

A recent release could be anything that has recently been released from the winery. It could be a recent disgorgement of a 1962, an original disgorgement that has been sitting in the cellars all these years, or a bottle that was disgorged much later than the original release, but not recently, and has been sitting in the cellars since then.

I don’t know of any current reserve wines in Champagne that date back to 1962. I also don’t know of any perpetual reserves that date back that far either although there may be one. You probably could find a ratafia from back then although I haven’t had a pure vintage one that is that old. There are also some Champagne still wines out there from 1962, but very difficult to find.

Andy_Sc · August 11, 2021, 11:43am

Not that I’ve had it, but the 62 La Tache is an absolute wine ledgend on for many among the top 10 wines produced in the past century, if not top 5. But generally a very good vintage in Burgundy (certainly superior to Bdx) but problem with all of these bottles: sourcing/prices.

Other high praised wines which might be more available: Penfolds Grange and Vega Sicila Unico - if you wanna go for a big name. Also some good Riojas (CVNE Vina Real Reserva Especial). And in Bordeaux of course Petrus, which is certainly among the top 10 wines from the vintage and uncontested in Bdx. Otherwise Bdx? My pick would be Sauternes (Yquem never fails but Suduiraut, Climens should be fine too). If you look for other reds in Bdx LMHB, Latour, Angelus, HB, Evangile have good reputations. From Rhone Jaboulets La Chappelle is great (some recent ex domaine releases are on the market).

PCLIN · August 11, 2021, 12:01pm

As Andy said, ‘62 Vega Sicilia is very good.

Jay_Winton · August 11, 2021, 1:15pm

Agree on the 62 Mouton but its been quite a while since I tasted that bottle. Provenance is all!

Dav1d_Sawyer · August 11, 2021, 8:38pm

Had '62 RC about 10 years ago and it was phenomenal. My benchmark old Burg experience.

Scott_Brunson · August 11, 2021, 10:30pm

Thanks I have Piemonte covered.
(2/22)

Mel_Knox · August 11, 2021, 10:38pm

The '62s I drank in the’70s were wonderful, but as Tom Black suggests, the Burgundies might be over the hill. '62 Latour might be wonderful if you are willing to pay the price.
Ditto '62 d Yquem. The '62 Suiduiraut, also pretty wonderful, is excellent and you might find it for under $400. I have excellent memories of Lafite, Las Cases and Lynch Bages, but sixty yers on they might be a bit tired,.

Jeremy_Holmes · August 12, 2021, 2:27am

A 1962 Pol Roger Champagne Vintage Brut I had 6 years ago was brilliant. 1962 Penfolds Bin 60A is a legendary wine but getting up there in price.

Nathan_Smyth · August 12, 2021, 3:56am

you will pay a huge premium for a recent release

Are you talking about a library release of individual bottles, each of which would have been sitting [bottled] in the winery since disgorgement [maybe circa the 1970s]?

Or are you talking about 1962 bottles which were finally disgorged [is that a word?] only very recently?

And this is an incredibly stupid question, but is there anything like a “Canteiro Madeira” involved in the making of Champagne - some big vat of Chardonnay [or Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier] which could be upwards of a century old?

A recent release could be anything that has recently been released from the winery. It could be a recent disgorgement of a 1962, an original disgorgement that has been sitting in the cellars all these years, or a bottle that was disgorged much later than the original release, but not recently, and has been sitting in the cellars since then.

I don’t know of any current reserve wines in Champagne that date back to 1962. I also don’t know of any perpetual reserves that date back that far either although there may be one. You probably could find a ratafia from back then although I haven’t had a pure vintage one that is that old. There are also some Champagne still wines out there from 1962, but very difficult to find.

Have you ever staged [or attended] a tasting of “original disgorgement” bottles versus “very late disgorgement” bottles of precisely the same wine & vintage?

If so, are there noticeable differences in scent or flavor or texture between “original” and “very late”?