HAUT-BRION 2018

Haut-Brion

Château Comments

Château Haut-Brion is the only estate outside of Médoc to be included in the 1855 classification. Moreover, Haut Brion was the first Bordeaux château to bear its own name, at a time when Bordeaux wines were sold anonymously. It has always been an innovator, being the first to implement aging in oak barrels and racking.
Although its character differs from its Médoc cousins, the potential of its gravel terroir is in no way inferior.
Offering a blend where Merlot can make up to 50% depending on the vintage, the style of Château Haut-Brion is decidedly more digestible and silky in its youth. Equipped with very ripe tannins and great aromatic finesse, this immense Pessac displays, at maturity, notes ranging from game to undergrowth, through spices, a decidedly seductive bouquet.
The estate also produces a second wine: Clarence de Haut-Brion (formerly known as Bahans de Haut-Brion).
The white Haut Brion, confidential, is among the wines that every enthusiast should taste once in their lifetime.
In 1983, the Dillon family, owners of Haut Brion since 1935, bought La Mission Haut-Brion, a neighbor of Haut-Brion.

History of the Château

The name Haut-Brion is the first to be mentioned in the history of Bordeaux as a recognized vintage. While it was initially thought that the London official, Samuel Pepys, was the first to mention it in his writings in 1663, very recent research has proven that the name "Aubrion" dates back to 1521! During this time, the estate was under the management of the de Pontac family.
The estate remained in the hands of the de Pontac family until the early 19th century when it was acquired by Napoleon's famous foreign minister, Mr. de Talleyrand. The esteemed owner would serve the grand wine of Haut-Brion on special occasions, thus greatly enhancing the prestige of the château.

Half a century later, the second world exposition revealed the 1855 classification of Bordeaux vintages to the entire world, and Château Haut-Brion was, of course, among the top four... The success of the Graves estate surprised no one, as it had long been appreciated and praised by the most discerning palates, like the American ambassador Thomas Jefferson who was full of praise for this vintage.

Today

The modern history of the château began in 1935 with the arrival of Clarence Dillon, a major New York financier, at its helm. While he wanted to get his hands on Château Cheval Blanc, his impatience and unfavourable weather conditions led him to turn towards Haut-Brion. Today, the château is still managed by the company "Domaine Clarence Dillon SAS". The involvement and investments of the Dillon family over the last century have allowed Haut-Brion to maintain its image as a Premier Grand Cru Classé, producing one of the best wines in the world every year...