2023 Haut Brion
Buying options
Tasting notes
A deep, dark-fruited nose is full of complexity, with leather, black pepper and sweet spice mingling. The structured tannins quickly melt away, revealing a core of dark berry fruit, which is opulent yet refined. Long and mouthwatering on the finish, this is very fine. Aged in around 70% new oak, with 14.6% alcohol and 3.73pH. Blend: 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.1% Cabernet Franc
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2023 Haut-Brion is a wine of restraint and power. Usually a much more potent and somber wine, the 2023 Haut-Brion is a quiet aristocrat. Powerful dark-red-toned fruit, blood orange, pomegranate, spice, new leather and incense lend notable complexity and nuance to this svelte, understated Grand Vin. I expect the 2023 will gain weight and body in time. I would not dream of touching a bottle anytime soon.
Haut-Brion has produced exceptional wines in 2023 across both Le Clarence and the main estate wine, and there is so much to enjoy here. Squid ink, oyster shell freshness and orange peel alongside deep waves of muscular tannins holding cassis, bilberry and blackberry fruits, tobacco leaf, cigar, espresso coiled power and pinpricks of energy. Knitted together, vertical lift, beautiful. A decades-delivering wine. Jean-Philippe Delmas director, Jean-Philippe Masclef technical director, no outside consultant. 69% new oak for ageing.
The Grand Vin 2023 Château Haut-Brion checks in as 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's more focused and tight compared to its sibling, the La Mission Haut-Brion, but it has riveting purity in its black raspberry, currant, smoke, leafy tobacco, and scorched earth-like aromas and flavors. It's rich and full-bodied, with building tannins and a level of purity that's just about off the charts. As with most vintages of Haut-Brion, it should be given at least a decade of bottle age.
About the producer
Ch. Haut-Brion is the only classified growth in Pessac-Léognan. One of the five First Growths, it is renowned for producing both exceptional reds and whites. Along with its sister estate, Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion, it is part of the Clarence Dillon stable.