2023 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. Haut-Brion is the oldest and, historically, the most colorful winery in the Gironde – it was here, in the 17th century, that the first Bordeaux from a single vineyard was produced, first served in London coffee houses and praised by many prominent writers. In 1935, the winery was purchased by Clarence Dillon, an American banker. He invested large sums in the renovation of the cellar 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 purchased the adjacent Château la Mission Haut-Brion.

Château Haut-Brion 2023 Rouge

In the Vineyard

The winter of 2023 was rainy and relatively cold. As soon as the buds sprouted in mid-March, the growth of the vines became extremely vigorous, encouraged by regular rainfall and warm days. This rapid growth required the teams to take immediate action in the vineyard, where the health of the vines had to be closely monitored. The dedication of all the winegrowers, as well as the vineyard's highly privileged location, where the leaves remain damp for a short time thanks to good air circulation, made it possible to prevent the spread of mildew during the growing season, despite the pressure it posed.

Flowering took place under excellent conditions and indicated an abundant harvest. This year called for more green work: substantial green harvests were carried out and leaf thinning on the east side of the rows in half of the vineyard. On the other side, pruning was limited to retain coolness in the soil and protect the grapes thanks to the shade provided.

2023 was a technical year for vineyard management, requiring precision and quick responsiveness from the teams. The power of this almost "blessed" terroir is demonstrated once again by an abundant, healthy harvest of high quality.

Harvest

The red grape harvest began on September 6, with still very warm weather. Ripeness was excellent for all varieties, and the grapes displayed outstanding concentration, rich in sugar and phenolic compounds. The berries were fresh and ripe, bursting with flavor. The harvest was abundant, and this significantly extended the harvest period, which continued into October, with still summery weather. Days of heatwaves did not detract from the fruity, fresh character of this vintage.

2023 Château Haut-Brion Rouge Tasting Notes

A beautiful dark, deep red color with purple hues. At this stage, the aroma is still quite discreet. Upon swirling, the wine reveals a complex multitude of aromas, with notes of perfectly ripe red and black fruit. There are already hints of licorice and smoky notes, indicators of the exquisite nature of this wine. The initial taste is remarkable for its softness and immediate presence. The wine then develops, powerful yet still delicious, to finish long and flavorful. It is undoubtedly a magnificent Haut-Brion!

FUN FACT: In the 'Attachments' tab, you will find the official factsheet for this fine wine. We will automatically send this to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, almost next to the A16, with ample parking. Click here for our address.