Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2023

Intense blackcurrant aroma with floral overtones, clear and pure; elegant on the palate, silky tannins, crisp fruit, plenty of harmony and very good length. A joy for the senses!

Fully aromatic, dark purple flowers and sweetly scented blue and black berry notes. Sweet and supple, nice chalky, powdery tannins give weight to the bright red berries. Lovely tannin integration and persistence of flavour. Straight and focused, not plush, but this has a nice structure and good length. Some mineral, graphite notes on the finish.

The 2023 Larrivet Haut-Brion has quite an upfront and lively nose, a little oaky although the fruit should soak that up with bottle age. The palate is medium-bodied, with forthright tannins. It feels a bit pushed in the winery, a little overextracted toward the finish where it loses delineation and clarity, with powdered dark chocolate on the aftertaste.

Love the fragrant rosebud and violet aromatics on the opening here, and the texture that gives slate and pumice against ripe raspberry and black cherry fruits. Slight difference in blend from En Primeur, but still very much Cabernet dominant with both Franc and Sauvignon. 50% new oak for ageing, with 15% amphoras for the Merlots. Gervoson family owners, with Bruno Lemoine making this wine but retired as of 2024, with Charlotte Mignon now director, and Francois Godichon technical director.

Score: 93–95. A sensual, smoky, roasted bouquet that warms like the first spring sun, without fully dispelling the freshness in the air. On the palate, the wine immediately shows superb succulence of pure, elevated fruit, and an intense freshness like a handful of young herbs, yet with no greenness. The finish is caressing.

From the outset, the bouquet of Larrivet Haut-Brion 2023 shows depth and precision. Fruity, floral and fresh, it stands out for its harmony and its ability to reveal a wealth of nuances without any one taking precedence over the others. Plurality and complexity, in short! On the palate, the wine quickly sets the tone in terms of elegance and balance. Its fine-grained tannins provide a solid foundation, ensuring power and staying power, while the acidic structure works behind the scenes to champion freshness and character. A savory, persistent wine with everything it takes to spend a long time in the cellar… provided you can wait, which may prove difficult given its deliciousness! A very fine success from Larrivet Haut-Brion, which has certainly not yet revealed its full potential. A higher score is within reach!

Offers enticing flavors of mulled red and black cherry and currant fruit infused liberally with black tea, sandalwood and mesquite notes. There’s a smoldering feel on the finish, plus a late twinge of iron. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2037. 7,200 cases made, 1,440 cases imported.

Quite floral in the nose, you also enjoy nuances of tobacco, red fruits, and forest leaves. The palate is bright, fresh, and almost crisp, with sweet red berries and an earthy, slightly green-tinted finish. The wine is made from 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Merlot. Drink from 2028-2045.

Deep, intense red color. Very aromatic nose with pure, ripe and subtle fruit. Hints of red fruits and white fruits. Supple, melt-in-the-mouth palate that opens up airy and juicy, with a stature different from other crus. Fine, slightly spicy finish. It’s very good.