Ruby-red. Knockout nose combines black raspberry, plum syrup, hot stones, Cuban tobacco and sexy oak tones. Large-scaled, lush and seamless; pure silk in the mouth. More layered and longer than La Mission '99. Finishes with broad, lush tannins and excellent persistence.

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Low-key nose, really quite uncommunicatively dry tannins. Pretty hard work at this stage. Not charming. Maybe this needs more time but it's so uncompromising at the moment. Odd because Haut-Brion usually opens out earlier than most first growths. One of the most youthful 1999s.

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Deep plum, currant, and mineral notes emerge from the concentrated, beautifully balanced, pure 1999 Haut Brion. It seems to be cut from the same mold as years such as 1979 and 1985. There is a hint of graphite in the abundant fruit. The wine is medium to full-bodied, nuanced, subtle, deep, and provocatively elegant. It is made in a style that only Haut Brion appears capable of achieving. The finish is extremely long, the tannins sweet, and the overall impression one of delicacy interwoven with power and ripeness.

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Seductive juice. Gorgeous aromas of crushed berries, tobacco, cigars and cedar. Full- to medium-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long, fruity finish. Very fine indeed. 12,500 cases made.

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bricking, baked fruit, soft tannin, tobacco. Probably in decline.