Chateau Haut Brion 1975

JEB DUNNUCK: JEB DUNNUCK:"The 1975 Haut Brion is fully mature, yet is certainly one of the finest wines in the vintage. Its plummy color is followed by a classic Haut Brion bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, plums, tobacco leaf, scorched earth and roasted herbs. This is followed by a shockingly concentrated, full-bodied wine that has a beautiful opulence and silkiness, as well as plenty of sweet fruit developing with time in the glass. There’s no upside, but it’s beautiful wine."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER:"Much better on its tobacco driven nose, that also offered tar, leather, wet earth, cedar and cigar box charms, than on the stoic, firm, gritty palate. Lovers of older, classic wines will probably like this a lot more than I did. This is fully mature and while there is no reason to wait, I doubt at 41 years of age that it will get much better from here."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: THE WINEADVOCATE:"The Château Haut-Brion 1975 has been variable in the past, however this is one of the better examples with deep garnet color. The nose is lively with leather and scorched earth scents infusing the dusky black fruit, later a faint touch of terracotta coming through. The palate is well balanced, quite animally and feral for a respectable First Growth, but that is exactly what lends it its charm. There is just some dryness creeping in on the finish, so I would drink bottles over the next ten years or so. Perhaps given the quality of its sister La Mission Haut-Brion in this year, you would expect more, but it remains a delightful, self-effacing Haut-Brion that is best consumed sooner rather than later. Tasted July 2014."

WINE SPECTATOR: WINESPECTATOR:"Austere, lean and polished, not exhibiting the hard edge shown by many 1975s, this is ultimately elegant, graceful and supple. Approaching its peak."