2019 Ch Haut-Brion Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan

The 2019 Haut-Brion is completely different to La Mission Haut-Brion, the two compared side-by-side in the course of 24 hours. It was picked from 10 September until 3 October at 53hl/ha. Initially it is riper, more extrovert and luxurious than its sibling, yet returning after four hours (when chatting to Jean-Philippe Delmas) it has transmogrified into a very different wine with intense black fruit, boysenberry, iodine, forest floor and potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied and like the nose, initially comes across quite exuberant. Four hours later it is a much more nuanced wine that begins in understated fashion before a crescendo of black fruit tinged with blood orange and Chinese 5-spice. It fans out and gains volume wonderfully on the finish. This is a sensual and almost flamboyant Haut-Brion.

96-98 points Neal Martin vinous.com

This is very refined and elegant with a fine-tannined line running through the center of the palate. It’s very intense and precise. Full-bodied with great, tight fruit. This is subtle and complex, then it opens on the palate and shows incredible depth and intensity. Great length, going on and on for minutes.

99-100 points James Suckling jamessuckling.com June 2020

A potent, brooding wine, the 2019 Haut-Brion soars out of the glass with magnificent intensity. Its greatness and regal bearing are immediately apparent. Time in the glass brings out a whole range of dark fruit, scorched earth, tar, licorice and incense overtones that build effortlessly into the deep, eternal finish. The 2019 Haut-Brion is a wine of breeding, structure and power. It is also very clearly one of the standouts of the vintage. Don't miss it!

96-98 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com

The 2019 Haut-Brion is a blend of 48.7% Merlot, 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.1% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 10th of September to the 3rd of October. The estimated label alcohol degree is 14.5%. Displaying a deep garnet-purple color, it comes off incredibly shy and reticent to begin, needing considerable coaxing to reveal notes of dark chocolate-covered cherries, blackberry preserves, woodsmoke and sandalwood, before launching into a full-scale fireworks display of iron ore, cumin seed, redcurrant jelly, red roses, oolong tea and Sichuan pepper scents plus a waft of cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers the most exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins with a lively backbone of freshness supporting the tightly wound, earth-laced black fruit layers, finishing very long and minerally. This is one of the most finely structured, tightly knit wines of the vintage. Given time, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it goes atomic and eventually takes top place for the vintage.

97-99 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown robertparker.com

Château Haut-Brion from Pessac-Léognan is one of the most legendary wines in the world—a First Growth that stands apart not only for its historic prestige but also for its distinct style and unwavering consistency. Located just outside the city of Bordeaux in the Graves region, Haut-Brion is the only estate outside the Médoc to be included in the original 1855 Classification, and it remains a benchmark for finesse, structure, and complexity in Bordeaux.

The estate’s history stretches back to the 16th century, making it one of the oldest continuously producing wine estates in the region. Now owned by Domaine Clarence Dillon and overseen by Jean-Philippe Delmas, Haut-Brion combines centuries of heritage with meticulous, modern winemaking. The gravelly soils over clay and limestone are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, giving the wine its trademark balance of elegance and depth.

Vinification takes place in stainless steel and oak vats, followed by aging in new French oak barrels for 18 to 22 months. Each plot is treated with precision, allowing the terroir to guide the final blend. The result is a wine of profound complexity—often more refined and aromatic than its Left Bank peers, with a silky mouthfeel and signature earthy, smoky nuance.