Château Haut-Brion 2021

Scented flowers and red berries on the nose, lovely aromatics with green peppercorns, herbal blackcurrant leaf and floral scents. Rich and round for a 2021, high acidity gives the life-force but this has a great structure in the mouth. Quite imposing tannins cover the entire tongue and cheeks, and I love it. Grippy, focused, this is one of the more demonstrative 2021 wines in terms of texture and power, but still keeps precision and direction. Chalky grip, a mineral undertone and feeling of substance on the finish. Allow a few more years before starting on this.

This is beautifully crafted and very perfumed, with ultra-fine tannins and vivid dark fruit such as blackcurrants, as well as dark chocolate, hazelnuts and hints of forest floor, mushrooms, tar, matchstick and oyster shells. Drink or hold.

50.3% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.7% Cabernet Franc. 48 hl/ha. Cask sample. Bright crimson-purple. Fragrant berry fruit notes as the wine opens. Smooth and refined on the attack, the mid-palate full and generous, swathing powerful but integrated tannins. Impressive length and drive. Quite a powerhouse for such a complicated year. Huge potential. (JL)

The 2021 Haut-Brion has a very pure bouquet, quite complex with a mixture of blueberry and black cherry fruit, iris flower and violet, with hints of sea spray in the background. This is more engaging than the 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, good fruit concentration considering the vintage, commendable salinity, and a harmonious, sapid finish that is classic in style. I suspect it may well close down for a period before re-opening. Excellent.

With a strong floral accent that accompanies all the blackberries, currants, spice, tobacco, and smoky black cherries in the perfume. Vibrant, fresh, and refined, this is the quintessential example of a modern, classic Bordeaux. It should start drinking well by its 10th birthday. Drink from 2031-2060.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, sweet cherry, hints of cassis, nougat and oak with a touch of tobacco and currant. Juicy and elegant with medium complexity, yet full-bodied with silky tannins and fine fruit expression on the very long finish. A harmonious wine, already offering great drinking pleasure, that will keep for many years to come. (10/1/2024, cellar, drink + 40)

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (50.3% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.7% Cabernet Franc, 13.8% vol. alcohol) Concentrated, complex, fresh, elegant bouquet with fine cassis cream, prunes, light tobacco, and delicate herbs. Tightly woven, multi-layered, fresh, elegant palate with powerful, finely creamy fruit, plenty of very fine tannins, a finely concentrated, elegant structure, varied, powerful, refined aromatics, and a very long, full, fresh, elegant finish with many lingering flavors. Has room to improve.

(50.3% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.7% Cabernet Franc, 13.8% abv) Concentrated, complex, fresh, elegant bouquet with fine cassis cream, prunes, light tobacco, and subtle herbs. A densely woven, multi-layered, fresh and elegant palate with powerful, finely creamy fruit, plenty of very fine tannins, a finely concentrated, elegant structure, varied, powerful, delicate aromatics, and a very long, full, fresh, elegant finish with lots of lingering flavors. Still has room to improve. 19/20 2030 - 2060

Stricter than the Mission at this early stage, with clear distinction, well balanced with grip and confidence, smoked black pepper, cloves, fennel, slate, rose stems, blackberry and cassis fruit, sculpted and concentrated. Exceptionally impressive with a clear rise from start to finish on the palate, building layers that will carry it through the decades, and this is a wine to look forward to enjoying for decades to come. Harvested from September 13 to October 8, with no Petit Verdot used this year. 73% new oak.

The 2021 Haut-Brion is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. After a swirl or two, the nose slowly awakens to reveal notes of cassis, kirsch, and juicy plums, followed by suggestions of dark chocolate, clove oil, iron ore, and garrigue. Medium-bodied, a great intensity of black and red berry flavors gradually grows in the mouth, structured with taut, grainy tannins and a lively line, finishing on a lingering, fragrant earth note.

An amiable, approachable nose with ripe red and purple fruits, revealing notes of flowers, sap, and precious wood. The palate delights with discreet fruit and a tannic structure that gradually builds in power. It modestly reminds us that this is a premier cru. And it keeps reminding us all the way through the long finish. A majestic, balanced wine, with everything incredibly well integrated.

Haut-Brion reveals itself with subtlety and depth right from the start. It shows inviting floral notes with peony aromas and delicate hints of cherry. Precise and powerful, Haut-Brion relies on its freshness and its ability to stay the course of finesse and elegance in an overall strict and vigorous style. A very ambitious, powerful and persistent wine with everything it takes to stand the test of decades to come.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Fruity, subtle, and slightly discreet nose. The same discretion appears on the attack, where the wine is flavorful but also becomes tannic rather quickly. It finishes long, with the aroma returning on the finish. A slightly firmer presentation than at times. Blend: 50.3% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.7% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol: 13.8% natural – pH: 3.66 (slightly below average). The Merlot was bled at 10%. IPT: 66. Yield: 48.6 hl/ha.

95–97. Barrel Sample. This wine is rich with structure and serious intent. The black fruits are spicy, backed by solid tannins and powerful berry flavors and structure. Here is an impressive wine—dense and complex.