2018 Château Haut Brion

Of all the premier crus of Bordeaux, Haut-Brion is the greatest charmer, always elegant and refined and always in top condition, young or old. Haute Brion is the oldest and historically the most colorful winery in the Gironde - it was here that the first Bordeaux was made from a single vineyard in the 17th century, first served in London coffeehouses and praised by many eminent writers. In 1935 the estate was bought by Clarence Dillon, an American banker. He invested large sums in the renovation of the chai and the vineyard. In 1960 Haut-Brion became the first premier cru to replace wooden barrels with stainless steel tanks. In 1983 the Dillon family bought the adjacent Château la Mission Haut-Brion. Haut-Brion is almost always the fastest maturing and most accessible of the premier crus, but that casual, young charm is deceptive, as the wine ages beautifully.

The Haut Brion is powerful, full and creamy with a breathtaking plump luxury of blackcurrant, smokey oak and tobacco. Lusciously soft, complex and long.

The 2018 Haut-Brion is a blend of 49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11.9% Cabernet Franc, harvested from September 6 to October 2. Deep purple black is the Haut Brion in the glass it is much more closed than the La Mission. in his early years and is reserved in the first minutes, then wave after wave of exotic spices such as cardamom, cassis, star anise, which turns into an opulent aroma of roses, chocolate pastries, warm cassis and raspberries with nuances of cedar, pebbles, truffles, wet dark forest floor. The full-bodied palate is really deep, with understated black fruit and spice layers slowly giving mineral notes and savory suggestions in a great package of firm, super fine-grained tannins and a wonderful freshness, ending great. Parker writes in his review of the aftertaste: "finishing with epic length and depth"

97-99/100 Parker & 98/100 Suckling