Château Haut Brion 1975

Château Haut Brion 1975

Pessac-Léognan - Premier Grand Cru Classé 

91/100 Parker

Cellaring : Wine at maturity. Drink until 2025. (Recommended range at peak: 2014 - 2025)

Tasted by Neal Martin on 29 July 2016: "The 1975 Chateau Haut-Brion has been variable in the past, however this is one of the better examples with a deep garnet colour. The nose is lively, with scents of leather and scorched earth infusing the black fruit; a faint touch of earthiness coming through. The palate is well balanced, quite lively and fierce for a respectable first growth, but that's exactly what gives it its charm. There's just a bit of dryness creeping into the finish, so I'd drink the bottles over the next ten years or so. Perhaps given the quality of its sister La Mission Haut-Brion in this year, one would expect more, but it remains a delicious Haut-Brion that is better consumed sooner rather than later."

- To produce Château Haut Brion's red wine, the vinification is carried out in unique double-walled stainless steel tanks. It is interesting to note that Château Haut Brion was one of the first châteaux in Bordeaux to start using stainless steel for winemaking.

- The wine is aged in new French oak barrels (up to 100%) for up to 24 months, depending on the strength and character of the vintage. No less than 70% of the barrels used by Haut Brion are produced in their own cooperage. This is done in collaboration with the company Seguin Moreau.

- The blending at Château Haut Brion takes place shortly after the end of malolactic fermentation and before the start of barrel ageing. Indeed, the estate believes that it is preferable to blend the wines before the influence of wood begins to be felt in the wine.

- The wine of Château Haut Brion is in a class of its own. There is no other Bordeaux wine like it. The complex aromas with all the earthy, tar, leather, smoke, truffle, blackcurrant and spice elements are unique to Haut Brion. It is an incredibly refined, elegant and sensual style of wine that is never heavy or unbalanced.

- There is a purity of fruit in this elegant Bordeaux wine that is unique to Haut Brion. Compared to other premier crus, it will generally be ready to drink at a younger age. But that doesn't mean it won't age as well. Far from it. In fact, for example, well-preserved bottles from 1928, 1929 and 1945 all offer compelling drinking experiences today. Life is too short not to drink Haut Brion as often as possible.

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