Château Haut Brion 1996

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Pessac-Léognan - Premier Grand Cru Classé

95/100 Parker

"While in some vintages La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion can be close in quality, that is not the case in this vintage. The 1996 Haut-Brion, a blend of 50% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc is clearly on a higher plane than the La Mission. There is something much more expansive and complete on the nose: greater depth of fruit, more harmonious with scents of underbrush, tar, black olive and this bottle perhaps less "feral" than I have noticed on previous examples. The palate is very well balanced with dark cherries, sous-bois and cedar. This is one vintage where I think the Cabernet Franc plays an important role and lends more complexity. This is a 1996 that has retained and built upon beguiling fleshiness and it will continue to evolve with style and panache." Tasting by Neal Marin in 2016. 

 - 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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