Palate
Today, it is a wine without end, at the height of complexity and depth that continues to seduce thanks to its consistency and its smoothness which vergers on that of liquor.
Growing Conditions
Legendary. For some, the greatest post-war vintage, even if the vines suffered. After two frosts in quick succession in March, cold weather arrived in May, followed by an extremely dry summer. The grapes were withered. Until the providential rains of September.
Thomas Duroux regards 1961 as «the vintage that contributes more than any other to the legend of Château Palmer». The beautiful spring weather at the end of February made the vines ‘weep’. Frost was feared. March was sunny and dry and the vines grew rapidly. On March 21st and 29th, two successive frosty spells weakened the vineyard but did not cause too much damage. Good weather in May allowed for early flowering on the 16th, but an unusual cold spell harmed the fertilization and delayed the next stage of the flowering process. There was significant coulure. A small harvest was expected. In the end, a very dry summer and a hot September dried the grapes out, but the vines suffered. Harvesting began on September 19th under a blazing sun. Heavy rain was welcomed on 20th and temperatures dropped, which allowed the grapes to reach an exceptional level of maturity.
Winemaking
Right from the start of the winemaking process, the colour, the sugar content and the tannins were extraordinary.
