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98 Robert Parker
The 2012 Haut Brion (65% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc) is certainly one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage, with a dense purple color, classic nose of crushed rock, lead pencil shavings, black raspberry, blueberry and flowers. The wine shows subtle barbecue smoke notes in the background, but is full-bodied, stunningly concentrated and builds incrementally, yet finishes with luxurious, almost extravagant amounts of fruit and intensity. From only 46% of the production, this is an absolutely remarkable effort from the Dillon family and their winemaking team of the two Jean-Philippes. Drink it over the next 30-40 years.
19 Rene Gabriel
62.5 % Merlot, 32.5 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 % Cabernet Franc. Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Erhabener Duft von Teer, dunklen Beeren, Lakritze, einem Hauch Korinthen, Brazil-Tabak. Im Gaumen unglaublich viel feiner als der Mission, hier ist es fraglos ein Premier-Cru, ausgeglichene Adstringenz, nachhaltiges Finale. Ein Meisterstück in einem schwierigen Umfeld. Mit 44 hl/ha Ertrag deutlich unter dem Mission liegend. Ich habe am gleichen Tag mehr als 100 Weine aus der Appellation Pessac-Léognan verkostet. Da sah man deutlich das Gefällt im Sinne eines eingemeisselten Klassementes. Und wenn beim Jahrgang 2012 das mögliche Klassement wirklich gilt, dann steht dieser wunderbare Haut-Brion halt ganz alleine da. Und das hat er mit dieser perfekten Vinifikationsleistung auch verdient!warten (2020 - 2050)
95 Wine Spectator
This combines power and refinement, with a singed alder frame around a dense core of red and black currant, plum and blackberry fruit. Notes of bay, black tea and tar line the finish. Has a lovely, fine-grained feel that lets the dark, hefty fruit drape beautifully. The tobacco element hangs in the background. Sneakily long. Best from 2018 through 2030. 9,008 cases made. –JM
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.