2018 Ch Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan

The grand vin 2018 Haut-Brion (49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc) is as deeply colored as its stablemate but has a darker, smoky bouquet of blackcurrants, roasted herbs, tobacco, and gravelly earth. Silky, polished, and ethereally textured on the palate, with beautiful tannins as well as mid-palate density, it's one of the most regal, classic wines in the vintage.

97-99 points Jeb Dunnuck

The 2018 Haut-Brion is a blend of 49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11.9% Cabernet Franc, harvested September 6 to October 2. Deep purple-black in color, it is much more closed than the La Mission. It holds back for the first few minutes, reticent to reveal what slowly uncoils to give wave after wave of exotic spices—cardamom, cassis, star anise and fenugreek—over an opulent core of red roses, Black Forest cake, warm cassis and black raspberries with nuances of cigar box, crushed rocks, truffles, tilled black soil, iron ore and smoked meats. The full-bodied palate is truly profound, with restrained black fruit and spice layers slowly offering mineral sparks and savory suggestions within a rock-solid frame of firm, super fine-grained tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. This will take longer to come around than the La Mission, but it will be well worth the wait.

97-99+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown for The Wine Advocate

The length and texture to this wine is so very impressive. It’s not so much the sheer power that is impressive here, rather the form, tension and exquisite form that the abundant, fine-grained tannins provide. It lasts for minutes on the palate. A classic beauty in the making.

98-99 points James Suckling

Standing among Bordeaux's most legendary estates, Château Haut-Brion holds a unique place in wine history as the only First Growth located outside the Médoc. Dating back to the 16th century, the estate has long been celebrated for producing wines of extraordinary refinement, complexity and longevity. Its gravelly vineyards in Pessac Léognan consistently yield Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot of remarkable purity, while meticulous winemaking has secured Haut-Brion's place among the world's greatest wines.

The magnificent 2018 vintage delivered fruit of exceptional concentration, freshness and balance. A warm growing season produced richly flavoured berries, while cool nights preserved aromatic precision and vibrant acidity. Meticulous parcel selection and patient élevage have created a wine of immense depth, harmony and extraordinary ageing potential.

Deep garnet with youthful purple highlights, the bouquet is profoundly complex, revealing cassis, blackberry and black cherry layered with graphite, cigar box and the estate's signature smoky notes. As the wine unfolds, aromas of violets, truffle, cedar and exotic spice emerge, adding remarkable depth and sophistication. The palate is majestic yet beautifully composed, combining concentrated dark fruits with cashmere fine tannins, vibrant acidity and a seamlessly integrated mineral backbone. Exceptionally long and effortlessly refined, the finish echoes with smoky minerality, savoury complexity and the unmistakable nobility of a great First Growth.

An unforgettable companion for Chateaubriand, roast venison, duck with black truffle, herb crusted lamb or mature Comté. Already breathtaking with extended decanting, this iconic Bordeaux will continue to reward collectors for generations.

Cellaring: Drink from 2028 to 2065+.