Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2009

Since its creation, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion has continually improved, gaining a steady and strong reputation. 

Château Larrivet Haut Brion, originally known as “Château de Canolle” and later “La Rivette”, was established in the 1800s. In 1874, the estate was renamed “Château Haut-Brion Larrivet” by its new owner, Ernest Laurent. By 1893, the Bordeaux shipowner MM Les Fils de Theodor Conseil acquired the château, expanding the estate to over 50 hectares. In 1929, the property finally found its name, Larrivet Haut-Brion, by its new owner, Monsieur Guillemaud. Today, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is owned and managed by the Gervoson family, who took over the property in 1987. This family is also known for producing the popular Bonne Maman jams and jellies.  

Located in Bordeaux, on the Left Bank in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the vineyard is near Château Haut Bailly, Château La Louvière, and Château Smith Haut Lafitte. The vineyard terroir consists of gravel and sandy soils is divided into five blocks, and four of those blocks are used for the Grand Vin. Thanks to the acquisition of new vines, the estate now spans 72,5 hectares, with 61 hectares dedicated to red vines and 11,5 hectares to white vines. The red wine varieties consist of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, while the white varieties include 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. The red vines average 30 years of age, and the white vines are 25. Depending on the vintage, some Malbec and Petit Verdot could be added. 

The Larrivet Haut-Brion team is passionate about their wine. They ensure meticulous care from vine to harvest to produce perfectly ripe, healthy grapes. 

The 2009 vintage is a blend of two grape varieties: 35% Merlot and 65% Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage is notable for its dark ruby color and light dark brown reflections on the disk. The nose is ripe with dark fruit puree and oriental spice aromas. The palate is impressive, warm and plump, large and powerful.  

"A sleeper of the vintage from this under-the-radar estate, this is a complex, fragrant, sexy style of wine with deep ruby purple color, loads of red and black fruits intermixed with caramelized character, supple tannins, a savory and expansive mid-palate and finish, and sweet tannin. I found this wine extremely endearing and far better from bottle than it had shown from barrel. Give it several years of bottle age and drink it over the following two decades." - Robert Parker Jr, The Wine Advocate (2/27/2013, Issue 205), Ratings: 91, Drink: 2015-2035