Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2015

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. 

2015 was a sunny vintage, characterized by a hot start to the summer, which encouraged successful and even flowering. While July saw a period of drought, August provided cooler temperatures and some rain to help replenish vines. 

The 2015 vintage is a blend of three grape varieties: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. This vintage is notable for its dark ruby color with brick highlights. Its expressive nose of ripe black fruit with smoky, licorice, and caramel notes is complemented by silky tannins. The palate is long and fleshy, with tobacco notes appreciated on the finish. The vintage is a great, perfectly balanced wine. Harvesting took place from September 27 to October 21. 

"The 2015 Larrivet Haut Brion might be overlooked against some startling other 2015s with "Haut Brion" in their name, which would be wholly unfair because this is a potentially great wine. It has an outgoing bouquet with plenty of bright and bushy tailed red fruit that is well defined and very nicely focused. The new oak is carefully used here and gives it real lift. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, fleshy in the mouth with crisp acidity and a nicely composed, lightly spiced finish. This is an excellent Pessac-Léognon and it will hopefully will be well priced." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/27/2016, Issue 224), Ratings: 91, Drink: 2021-2045