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93 By Robert Parker
88 By Wine Spectator
This wine has enjoyed a spectacular development in the bottle, and, while drinkable upon release, it remains one of the most sumptuous, complex, and satisfying Haut-Brions of the last twenty years. It is certainly the finest wine of the vintage from Bordeaux's Left Bank. The wine has taken on a dark plummy/garnet color, and displays a magnificent tres Haut-Brion nose of jammy black fruits, earth, tobacco, smoke, and sweet fruitcake aromas. It is rich and medium to full-bodied, with impressive elegance, purity, and overall harmony. This is not a powerhouse or exceptionally opulent style of Haut-Brion (such as the 1989 and 1990), but, rather, a more structured, yet authoritatively flavorful wine. It offers power, richness, and elegance in a wine with extraordinary equilibrium. Anticipated maturity: Now-2006. Last tasted 10/97
Producer
Château Haut Brion
One of the four original properties classified as a First Growth in the famous 1855 Classification, Château Haut-Brion is even more unique for the fact that they were the only property outside of Médoc to be included. The château has had a long history in viticulture, dating further back than its Médoc Grand Cru Classé counterparts, making this estate a true Graves idol. Situated just southwest of Bordeaux’s city center, the 51-hectare property belongs to the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Dominated by red plantings, a mere three hectares of vineyards are dedicated to the growth of their lightly oaked white varieties, Sémillion and Sauvignon Blanc. Today the property is under the same ownership as Château La Mission Haut-Brion and La Tour Haut-Brion. The Dillon family is represented by Prince Robert Dillon of Luxembourg who now runs the estate. When compared to the larger First Growths, Château Haut-Brion has a rather small production of magnificent reds and whites. The estate’s second wine, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion can almost rival the exquisite Grand Vin, Haut-Brion that contains a high percentage of Merlot. The château also produces a barrel-fermented Haut-Brion Blanc, along with a second white, made from both Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion, labeled as La Clarté de Haut-Brion.