Chateau Haut Brion 2021

WEINWISSER: "Der Haut-Brion bestätigt sich erwartungsgemäß auch nach der Abfüllung als der beste Rotwein aus Pessac- Léognan mit dunkler, massiver Farbe. Süßlich, cremig und intensiv erscheint er im Geruch ganz voll und dunkelfruchtig ausgestattet, mit feinster Süße und ausgezeichneter Tiefenstaffelung. Superfein und geschliffen präsentiert er sich seidig süß, saftig und schmelzig im Mund, nahtlos und aus einem Guss gearbeitet. Extrem weitgefasst in der Struktur, komplex, sehr wuchtig und mit enormer Tiefe. Ein großer Haut-Brion mit verblüffender Balance und Raffinesse. Mit seinen 13.8 Vol.-% Alkohol wirkt der 2021er Haut-Brion zunächst leicht von der Statur und ist doch enorm konzentriert. Das ist sehr typisch für diesen grandiosen Premier Cru, der durch das warme Terroir in großen Jahren häufiger die 15.0 Vol.-% erreicht, ohne dass sich das geschmacklich niederschlägt."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "White-berry aromas with a white-flower floral character. The wine is intense with white-orchard fruits and lemon acidity and a core of wood aging. Still young, the wine will drink from 2027."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 Haut-Brion confirms its fine showing en primeur, cementing its status as one of the wines of the vintage. Its complex bouquet of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of cigar wrapper and burning embers unfurls in the glass. Full-bodied, deep and velvety, it’s concentrated and layered with a multidimensional core of fruit, sweet tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Reflecting the timeless elegance of Haut-Brions from cooler years, the 2021 will delight Bordeaux purists."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is beautifully crafted and very perfumed, with ultra-fine tannins and vivid dark fruit such as blackcurrants, as well as dark chocolate, hazelnuts and hints of forest floor, mushrooms, tar, matchstick and oyster shells. Drink or hold."

DECANTER: "Scented flowers and red berries on the nose, lovely aromatics with green peppercorns, herbal blackcurrant leaf and floral scents. Rich and round for a 2021, high acidity gives the life-force but this has a great structure in the mouth. Quite imposing tannins cover the entire tongue and cheeks, and I love it. Grippy, focused, this is one of the more demonstrative 2021 wines in terms of texture and power, but still keeps precision and direction. Chalky grip, a mineral undertone and feeling of substance on the finish. Allow a few more years before starting on this."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Süße Herzkirschen, etwas Cassis, Nugat, zart nach Edelholz, ein Hauch von Korinthen und Tabak. Saftig, elegant, mittlere Komplexität, dennoch stoffig, seidige Tannine, feine Extraktsüße im Abgang, sehr gute Länge, harmonisch, bietet schon heute ein großes Trinkvergnügen, das Jahre anhalten wird."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2021 Haut-Brion is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. After a swirl or two, the nose slowly awakens to reveal notes of cassis, kirsch, and juicy plums, followed by suggestions of dark chocolate, clove oil, iron ore, and garrigue. Medium-bodied, a great intensity of black and red berry flavors gradually grows in the mouth, structured with taut, grainy tannins and a lively line, finishing on a lingering, fragrant earth note."

JEB DUNNUCK: "In comparison to its sibling La Mission Haut-Brion, the 2021 Château Haut-Brion is firmer and much more masculine, with an impressive, almost austere style in its smoky red and black fruits, salted meats, graphite, tobacco, and crushed stone-driven aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and elegant on the palate, it picks up density and suppleness with time in the glass and has plenty of tannins, a seamless, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. It's clearly in the fresher, elegant style of the vintage, yet this brings a serious, age-worthy style that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and evolve and drink brilliantly over the following two decades. The blend is 50.3% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11.7% Cabernet Franc, hitting 13.8% alcohol, with the elevage in 73% new French oak."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Bright crimson-purple. Fragrant berry-fruit notes as the wine opens. Smooth and refined on attack, the mid palate full and generous swathing powerful but integrated tannins. Impressive length and drive. Quite a powerhouse for such a complicated year. Huge potential."