Château Haut-Brion 2019

Special Price $610.85 Average US Price $667.00
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2680-2019
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• Domaine: Château Haut-Brion
• Appellation: Pessac-Léognan
• Classification: First Growth, Premier Grand Cru Classé
• Origin: Left Bank, Bordeaux, France

Of the five rarified First Growths estates, only Château Haut-Brion is located outside Médoc.  It is situated on the southside edge of the city of Bordeaux, in a region traditionally known as Graves, but more recently identified as Pessac-Léognan after the carve-out of the new appellation.  What once was without doubt the countryside, the surroundings around the property nowadays show signs of urban sprawl over nearly two centuries.  In any major wine region, some producers inevitably fall victim to rampant commercialization.  Not so for Château Haut-Brion.  This First Growth estate retains its authenticity throughout the centuries.  Château Haut-Brion may lack the fanfare other First Growths  have, but it has been adored by many wine lovers.  From Thomas Jefferson - America’s first wine connoisseur, to Queen Elizabeth II whose cellar stocks this wine, to the well-respected wine critic, Robert Parker Jr, this First Growth château continues to retain its authenticity and captivate audiences throughout the ages.

Château Haut-Brion was first planted in 1553 and is considered the oldest First Growth. The sprawling, ancient vineyards of Château Haut-Brion date back to 1st century AD, and  Roman coins can be found scattered in its heavily graveled vineyards. Haut-Brion was considered a “cru” vineyard as early as the 15th Century.  Interestingly enough, Haut-Brion was the subject of the first ever tasting note from Samuel Pepys, the author of The Diarist in 1663.  He wrote that he, “drank a sort of French wine called Ho Bryen that hath a good and most particular taste I never met with.” Even though he was no Robert Parker or James Suckling, he still knew a great wine when he had one. 

Throughout the ages, the estate captured the hearts and minds of many, especially the ruling class and political elite.  King Charles II served Château Haut-Brion at his coronation after the English monarchy was restored, initiating the century-spanning love affair between England’s ruling class and Haut-Brion. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Haut-Brion was considered a viticultural darling throughout Europe, culminating its achievement of First Growth status during the 1855 Classification. Château Haut-Brion passed through a number of hands, including those of foreign ministers, aristocrats, and financiers alike.  Less than a century later, it was purchased by American Financier Clarence Dillon in 1935.  He pioneered several innovations at the estate – such as using tractors in the vineyards, stainless-steel fermentation tanks in the vat room, and a bottling process on property.  The signature squat bottles -- reminiscent of old decanter models -- are exclusive to Château Haut Brion and immediately recognizable. 

Thanks to the visionary legacy of one of the most talented and gifted wine administrators Bordeaux has ever known, Jean Delmas, Château Haut-Brion was a leader in propagating high quality Bordeaux varietals. The 127 acre estates hosts carefully selected varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc. They take well to the light gravely topsoil mixed with a deeper layer of clay that is signature to the region. From state-of-the-art clonal selections to practices such as crop-thinning – a technique also used at the incomparable Château Pétrus -- the winemaking team at Château Haut-Brion leaves nothing to chance.  The combination of science and the particular terroir allows Château Haut-Brion to produce both excellent red and white wines with unmistakable elegance.  

Production here is smaller than some of the other first growths, and everything is painstakingly tended to by a staff of under 100 people.  The wine spends a long time resting in new oak barrels – approximately 30 months.  At Château Haut-Brion, both red and white wines steal the show. With a micro production of 800 cases a year, Château Haut-Brion Blanc lends a remarkable strength and astonishes many a drinker year after year.  It is considered one of the finest wines in all of Graves.

The red wines of Château Haut-Brion have a captivatingly mineral, smoky quality that sets them apart from the other First Growths.  Due to the predominance of Merlot, the wines remain are considered accessible - even charming at times - and please many palates.  They are not to be underestimated, however, as the best vintages can age potentially 30 years.  Fortunately for many a buyer, the wines of Haut Brion are often more affordable than any of the other First Growth wines and significantly over deliver.  With the perfect combination of innovation, tradition, and an almost stubborn sense of authenticity, Château Haut-Brion remains in class of its own. 



Tasting Notes

"The 2019 Haut-Brion is a blend of 48.7% Merlot, 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.1% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 10th of September to the 3rd of October. The estimated label alcohol degree is 14.5%. Displaying a deep garnet-purple color, it comes off incredibly shy and reticent to begin, needing considerable coaxing to reveal notes of dark chocolate-covered cherries, blackberry preserves, woodsmoke and sandalwood, before launching into a full-scale fireworks display of iron ore, cumin seed, redcurrant jelly, red roses, oolong tea and Sichuan pepper scents plus a waft of cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers the most exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins with a lively backbone of freshness supporting the tightly wound, earth-laced black fruit layers, finishing very long and minerally. This is one of the most finely structured, tightly knit wines of the vintage. Given time, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it goes atomic and eventually takes top place for the vintage." - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (6/10/2020, Bordeaux 2019 Issue), Rating: (97-99)+

"Compared to the La Mission Haut-Brion, the 2019 Château Haut-Brion is more backward and mineral-laced, with a dense purple color as well as notes of blueberry liqueur, black cherries, new leather, scorched earth, graphite, camphor, liquid rock-like minerality, and an almost Hermitage-like burning embers character. It doesn't have the overt power of Mouton, nor the sexiness of Château Margaux, yet it builds slowly and incrementally, with flawless balance, full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, and a magical finish. My money is on this being one of the all-time greats from this address, in the same league as the 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, and 2018. It will need a solid decade of cellaring and have 40-50+ years of prime drinking." Jeb Dunnuck, BORDEAUX 2019: A Modern-Day Version of 1982? (6/30/2020) Rating: 98-100


More Information
LWIN 1017092
Stock Status In Stock
Appellation Pessac-Léognan
Vintage 2019
Brand Château Haut-Brion
Shipping Weight 3.000000
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Pessac-Léognan is a prestigious wine appellation located in the northern Graves region of Bordeaux on the Left Bank of the Garonne River to the south of Bordeaux city. Created in 1987 the Pessac-Léognan AOC encompasses communes in the south of Bordeaux such as Pessac-Léognan and Martillac. 

Pessac-Léognan soils are among the most widely varied in the region which explains why both serious red and white wines can be produced. The main grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Semillon producing elegant, complex wines that age well. 

These wines are known for their structure and their rich flavors often featuring notes of dark fruits, tobacco, spices. 

Pessac-Léognan has fourteen Crus Classés de Graves including one that is also a 1855 First Growths : Château Haut-Brion.

The area is home to several renowned estates including Château Pape-Clement, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Lespault-Martillac, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Domaine de Chevalier, Château Latour-Martillac, La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, Le Petit Haut Lafitte, Château Carbonnieux, Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, Clos Floridene, Château Bouscaut, Château Olivier, Château La Tour Haut-Brion, Château Brown, Château Baret, Château de Fieuzal, Château Ferran.

These estates are celebrated for their meticulous winemaking processes and commitment to excellence ensuring that each bottle reflects the rich heritage and terroir of the region. 

 

 

Footnotes on Futures, Pre-Arrivals, and potential US Tariffs: 

1. As of June 15, 2021, the US and the EU agreed to suspend tariffs resulting from the Boeing-Airbus aircraft trade disputes. Accordingly, such import taxes are now suspended for the next five years.

2. Futures are expected to be available for delivery two years after the sales (e.g., the 2022 vintage, sold in 2023, will be delivered in 2025 mostly, or 2026 if the producer ages the wine longer).

3. Pre-Arrivals are items currently stored in our Bordeaux cellar or in transit from France to the US. It usually takes 1-6 months for Pre-Arrivals to become available for delivery, depending on the stage of the import process.

4. Regarding futures and pre-arrivals, we cannot guarantee specific delivery dates, which factors beyond our control may impact. However, we will notify you once your wine arrives in our cellar.

5. While a buyer of Bordeaux wine futures locks in an allocation of the specified items, the final delivery of the purchased items from France to the US may be impacted by intervening and unforeseeable events. Despite our due diligence, additional costs or delays may be caused by such intervening and unforeseen events and "an irresistible, superhuman cause, or by the act of public enemies of the state of California or the United States."  In such circumstances, if a buyer does not accept unforeseeable costs or delays, the sole and exclusive remedy is a cancellation of the futures order concerned and a refund of the original purchase price. We are NOT liable for any lost profits on a canceled order.

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