Château Haut-Brion 2019

Particularly complex aromatics; dense attack, full and powerful structure, well built yet without any aggressiveness, an infinitely long, fresh finish.

A beauty, with a remarkably refined feel from start to finish, as the caressing but substantial structure lets waves of steeped plum, mulled raspberry and blackberry preserve roll through repeatedly, picking up singed alder and apple wood, dried anise and sweet tobacco accents through the finish, where a curl of woodsmoke lingers. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2038.

With distinct notes of herbs combined with blackberry, dark plum and cherry on the palate, this is a typical Haut-Brion with great substance and ageing potential. Lovely freshness of acidity balances the wine’s power and concentration, with fruit tannins and new oak providing the structure for the long haul. Just a little introverted at the moment, this is likely to blossom after several years in the cellar.

Black cassis rises from the glass, joined by iodine, sandalwood, and subtle moss and wet-bark undertones, then turning to violets. The palate is mind-blowing, with a cashmere texture that unfurls on the palate and goes on for minutes. It’s full of superbly complex, ethereal character and mouthfeel. One of the wines of the vintage. As glorious as it may be to taste now, this is one for your deep cellar. Try in 2029.

Perhaps seeing a 100 Pt score is not a surprise here, but the devil is in detail as every vintage carries a unique signature, and this is the point of tasting and comparing. I am jealous of the younger generation of consumers that will be able to compare the 2018, 2019, and 2020 on maturity, as each vintage has its own strong points and character. The 2019 offers a vibrant, rich, refined, powerful, concentrated, smoky profile with countless layers of roasted, smoked red and black fruits, herbs, spice-box, cigar wrapper, cedar, and burnt leaves. Even though this is incredibly dense and intense, it is also light on its feet. Effortless to drink, with a beautiful, elegant, silky, refined finish that surpasses the 60-second mark, this will be seen by future generations as one of the great vintages of Haut Brion. Drink from 2032-2075.

Dark ruby in colour with purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, delicate aromas of caramel and nougat, black cherry, a hint of cassis, tobacco, and fine oak notes. The palate is juicy, with a pleasant sweetness, fine red berry fruit nuances, integrated tannins, fine acidity, and a very long saline-citrus finish. Already accessible, this has definite ageing potential. (2025 - 2050).

I wonder if this is how the legendary 1989 tasted young, even though this should be technically better made with more polish and finesse? Nonetheless, it’s very direct and forward, with immense intensity and all the stuffing—the fine cigars, the inky black fruit, the delicate spices, the slight oak, the stony and smoky notes. It suggests ripeness and sweetness yet remains classically dry. Enormous concentration with exceptional purity, plenty of powdery tannins, cocoa and dark berry flavors with great layers, complexity, and jaw-dropping length. Certainly a wine hors norme!

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (48.7% Merlot, 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.1% Cabernet Franc, 14.5% vol. alcohol) Concentrated, complex, mineral, powerful, and fresh bouquet: prunes, pralines, mocha-chocolate cream, dark tobacco, mahogany, mint. Concentrated, multi-layered, elegant, sensational palate with powerful, fine, sweet fruit, lots of very fine tannin, concentrated, varied, superb aromatics, a finely concentrated, dense, delicately muscular structure, and a very long, dense, powerful, fresh finish with abundant lingering aromas.

A powerful, concentrated, muscular Haut-Brion, full of layers that will take years to fully uncover. Think liquorice, leather, crushed stones, smoked earth, bitter chocolate shavings, ripe and rich through the mid palate, both generous and finessed, with silky tannins that exert their influence without getting in the way of the sappy freshness that runs right through the wine. A seriously impressive vintage at this First Growth, one to put away and not think about for the next decade. Harvest September 10 to October 3.

Composed of 48.7% Merlot, 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8.1% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Haut-Brion is deep garnet-purple in color. It waltzes out with flamboyant scents of wilted roses, star anise, mossy tree bark, and kirsch, leading to a core of blackcurrant pastille and stewed black plums. The full-bodied palate has a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and lively acidity supporting the densely packed, muscular black fruit, finishing incredibly long and with a spicy lift. Give it 5–6 more years in bottle to really hit its stride and drink it over the next 40+ years.

Another major winemaking success, with the subtle smoky touch of Pessac even more present on the nose, still nestled within the opulent substance of the grand vin, and just as much refinement in texture. As so often, an exemplary second wine.

An elegant bouquet, dressed in black, with notes of equally dark fruits, charcoal, ink and graphite, then revealing more opulent hints of multicoloured flowers, blood orange, medlar and spices. The palate is round, smooth and fluid, like a Bottero figure, with suggestive curves and delicate accents. A velvety texture that glides, and a very lovely length carried through to a dynamic finish of mocha and spices, endowed with serious pedigree.

The nose is elegant, precise, and offers power with delicacy, controlled intensity, and complexity. It reveals notes of pulpy blackcurrant, wild blackberry, and, more subtly, pepper, combined with touches of pulpy strawberry and morello cherry, hints of blond tobacco and licorice, as well as discreet nuances of racy minerality, almond, green cardamom, and a near-paprika note. The palate is fruity and offers brightness, pure fruit expression, indulgence, lovely sapidity, a certain tension, a slightly compact/discreetly tight character, some flesh, harmony, silkiness, and controlled power. On the palate, this wine shows notes of wild strawberry, blackcurrant, and, more subtly, tangy/discreetly crunchy red berries, combined with touches of violet, racy minerality, fine hints of fresh/tangy plum, chocolate/tonka bean, toasted almond, hints of Bourbon vanilla and grey pepper, as well as a very discreet touch of paprika, bergamot, and salinity. The tannins are elegant, racy, and very finely plush. Good length.

Dark, intense, purple color. The nose is a bit discreet, with pure, ripe fruit. Delicate on the attack, particularly aromatic mid-palate, juicy, complex and very flavorful, the wine tightens gently on the finish. It ends powerful and noble, with plenty of aromas.

(48.7% Merlot, 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.1% Cabernet Franc, 14.5% vol. alcohol) Concentrated, complex, mineral, powerful, fresh bouquet: prunes, pralines, mocha-chocolate cream, dark tobacco, mahogany, mint. Concentrated, multi-layered, elegant, sensational palate with intense, fine, sweet fruit; lots of fine tannin; concentrated, diverse, superb aromatics; finely concentrated, dense, delicately muscular structure; very long, dense, powerful, fresh finish with a great many lingering aromas. 20/20 2026 - 2060

97–99. Barrel Sample. The power and density of this fabulous wine are so evident. Perfectly ripe Merlot forms nearly half the blend, showing intensity, richness and astonishing concentration. At the same time, the Cabernet Sauvignon gives the juicy black currant fruit and the length of the structure. Together the two have formed a wine that will age and age.