100 pts – Wine Advocate
The dark garnet-colored 1961 Haut-Brion is pure perfection, with gloriously intense aromas of tobacco, cedar, chocolate, minerals, and sweet red and black fruits complemented by smoky wood. This has always been a prodigious effort (it was the debut vintage for Jean Delmas). It is extremely full-bodied, with layers of viscous, sweet fruit. This wine is akin to eating candy. Consistently an astonishing wine! Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted 3/97 RP
97 pts – Wine Spectator
94 pts – Vinous
Fabulous aromas of mocha, chestnut and tobacco. Thick, rich, broad and voluptuous, with powerful extract contributing to an impression of great grip. A wine of compelling sweetness. Strong but smooth tannins spread out to coat the entire palate. Late note of saddle leather. This, too, is still developing. Drink now through 22.- Stephen Tanzer(7/22)
