Château Haut Brion 2005

Château Haut Brion 2005

Pessac-Léognan - Premier Grand Cru Classé

PERFECT VINTAGE

100/100 Parker & 100/100 Wine Spectator

When to drink this wine? A wine for keeping, to be drunk now or stored in the cellar. Can be drunk until 2045+.

Tasted by Parker in 2015: " The 2005 Haut Brion (56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc) is exquisite, with minerality. With its elegance and finesse, it is not as powerful as La Mission, but the nobility and complexity of the aromatics, the incredible perfume (subtle smoke and blue, red, and black fruits) that lingers in the glass, the full-bodied mouthfeel (though very light and delicate on its feet), and the incredible length characterize this great Haut Brion. It is just beginning to drink well and should continue to do so for at least three more decades. It's a tour de force in winemaking, but only 9,000 cases were produced."

- 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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