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★ Vinous 90 • Wine Advocate 92

HAUT BRION 1988

Bordeaux red Pessac-Léognan

€440,00 / 75cl inc. VAT | Limited availability

With this 1988 vintage, Haut-Brion displays a racy elegance that testifies to its maturity. The nose opens with notes of blond tobacco and wild berries, evolving toward more subtle touches of sandalwood. The palate, of great finesse, offers a straight length and persistent freshness, revealing a harmonious balance that invites contemplation.

Format:
Appellation: Bordeaux
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Grape varieties: Assemblage Bordelais Rouge
Alcohol: N/A
Color: Red
Condition: Perfect

90

Vinous Tasting Note

The 1988 Haut Brion is another vintage that I have not seen for a number of years. It has a light, maybe slight smudged nose that is quite leafy in style, autumnal, hints of bay leaf and a light marine influence developing but never quite delivering the vigor of its sibling, the 1988 La Mission Haut-Brion. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannin on the entry, a fine thread of acidity, but I would argue this is too simple for a First Growth in a decent vintage like this, does not engage or charm like the 1985 or 1986. Of course, matter would be redressed by the legendary 1989 Haut-Brion. The 1988? It is more like a footnote to Jean-Bernard Delmas’s crowning glory that arrived 12 months later. Tasted at the château.

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About the Producer

About the Producer

Château Haut-Brion, Premier Grand Cru Classé, reigns over Pessac-Léognan and the Bordeaux landscape. The only non-Médoc estate honored in 1855, this cru illustrates the singularity of its gravel terroir. Its history is rich, from the Pontacs in the 16th century to Clarence Dillon, whose family has guided the estate’s destiny for several generations. Today, Domaine Clarence Dillon SAS continues this quest for excellence. The wines of Château Haut-Brion are synonymous with elegance, aromatic complexity, and aging potential. The grand vin rouge, a blend where Merlot expresses itself with refinement, offers a style that is both silky and approachable in its youth, evolving toward complex notes over time. Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, the estate’s second wine, shares this same nobility and commitment to quality. One must also mention the existence of the extremely rare Château Haut-Brion Blanc, a unique interpretation of the Sauvignon and Sémillon grape varieties, which completes this prestigious range sought after by connoisseurs. It is said that Talleyrand, a fine diplomat and great enthusiast, swore only by Haut-Brion. The estate works notably with appellations such as Premiers Crus, which consistently extend its signature. Among the most followed cuvées are Château Haut-Brion, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion - Château Bahans Haut-Brion, and Château Haut-Brion Blanc—useful benchmarks for understanding the identity of the estate.

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