Chateau Haut Brion 2019

JAMES SUCKLING: "The black cassis comes out of the glass, together with iodine, sandalwood and subtle moss and wet-bark undertones, then turning to violets. The palate is mind-blowing, with a cashmere texture that unravels on the palate and continues on for minutes. It’s full of superbly complex, ethereal character and mouth-feel, One of the wines of the vintage. As glorious as it may be to taste now, this is one for your deep cellar. Try in 2029."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Perhaps seeing a 100 Pt score is not a surprise here, but the devil is in detail as every vintage carries a unique signature, and this is the point of tasting and comparing. I am jealous of the younger generation of consumers that will be able to compare the 2018, 2019, and 2020 on maturity, as each vintage has its own strong points and character. The 2019 offers a vibrant, rich, refined, powerful, concentrated, smoky profile with countless layers of roasted, smoked red and black fruits, herbs, spice-box, cigar wrapper, cedar, and burnt leaves. Even though this is incredibly dense and intense, it is also light on its feet. Effortless to drink, with a beautiful, elegant, silky, refined finish that surpasses the 60-second mark, this will be seen by future generations as one of the great vintages of Haut Brion. Drink from 2032-2075."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The Grand Vin 2019 Château Haut-Brion checks in as a classic blend of 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc. Its deep purple hue is followed by a stunning bouquet of ripe black cherry and currant-like fruit as well as classic Graves cold fireplace, burning embers, tobacco, and cedar pencil. More regal, firm, and classically structured on the palate, this full-bodied beauty has a deep, concentrated mid-palate, building tannins, background oak, and a great, great finish. It's very much in the focused, elegant, yet still concentrated and powerful style of the vintage. It will need a solid decade of cellaring, but it’s a brilliant wine."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Wafting from the glass with aromas of blackberries and plums mingled with notions of pencil shavings, burning embers and creamy new oak, the 2019 Haut-Brion is full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a textural attack that segues into an ample and enveloping core of fruit, concluding with a long, expansive finish. Broad-shouldered and muscular, its rich, powdery tannins are already seamlessly integrated; and though it's labeled at 15% alcohol, far higher than the great vintages of yesteryear, it avoids any sense of over-ripeness."

WEINWISSER: "48,7 % Merlot, 8,1 % Cabernet Franc, 43,2 % Cabernet Sauvignon, Alkohol 15 %-vol., Lese vom 10. September bis 3. Oktober. Undurchsichtiges Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte und zartem rubinrotem Rand. Konzentriertes Bouquet mit schwarzen Kirschen, dunklen Schokotrüffeln und edler Cassiswürze. Im zweiten Ansatz duftiger Waldbeercocktail, Walderdbeerkonfitüre und Lakritze. Am druckvollen Gaumen mit einer Textur wie Samt und Seide, engmaschigem Tanningerüst, feinmehligem Extrakt, der Gigant bäumt sich auf, zeigt viel mehr Tiefe als der La Mission Haut-Brion. Im katapultartigen Finale Wildkirschen gepaart mit dunkler Mineralik und Wacholder hält ganz lange an. Der Gigant ist sich seiner Stärke bewusst und ruht aktuell in sich. "This Haut-Brion 2019 vintage is one of the most successful vintages produced after a hot and dry summer. This fine wine has the structure of a 2005, with the freshness of a 2010. A modern, richer version of the 1990 vintage." schwärmt Jean-Philippe."

DECANTER: "Liquorice and graphite touches on the nose with black fruits, even some blueberries and pomegranate. Great intensity, power and muscle here – this is full of life with layers of complexity you can feel from the beginning. It's not as immedaitely plump or round as some but this has clear power and generosity. Gentle persistence with so many nuances of flavour, but you get the impression its hiding all it's best features just showing the barest hint of fruit, spice and savoury aspects. Definition, precision and wonderful freshness. You have to work a little harder to understand this, but it has such potential. 48.7% Merlot, 43.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.1% Cabernet Franc. Drinking Window 2028 - 2050"

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Zart nach Karamell und Nougat, schwarze Herzkirschen, ein Hauch von Cassis, tabakige Edelholznote. Saftig, feine rotbeerige Fruchtnuancen, angenehme Süße, integrierte Tannine, finessenreiche Säurestruktur, zitronig-salzig im Abgang, zeigt sehr gute Länge, bereits zugänglich, sicheres Reifepotenzial. (2025 - 2050)"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The wine's richness give it the density for aging. The bold structure is mitigated by the wine's juicy acidity that cuts the structure with freshness. This grand wine has a solid character as well as plenty of juicy fruits. Drink from 2027."

WINE SPECTATOR: WINESPECTATOR "A beauty, with a remarkably refined feel from start to finish, as the caressing but substantial structure lets waves of steeped plum, mulled raspberry and blackberry preserve roll through repeatedly, picking up singed alder and apple wood, dried anise and sweet tobacco accents through the finish, where a curl of woodsmoke lingers. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2038."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Aromatic, Sauvignon-led nose with fine, pink-grapefruit aromatics. Explosive palate, full-flavoured, round, gourmand but fresh. More flamboyant than La Mission. Lovely weight and persistence with a tangy, fresh finish."