Both red and white wines are made at Haut-Brion. The whites are made from roughly 63% Semillon and 37% Sauvignon Blanc. The white wines are exquisite and the global benchmark for the finest Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc wines made anywhere in the world. Production is small with less than 800 cases a year making it extremely collectable.
The red vineyards are planted to 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, producing a full, ripe wine, with elegant concentration and balance displaying typical Graves characteristics of cigar-box, currant fruits, earth, smoky spice and cassis. Two second wines are also made at Haut-Brion: the red Le Clarence de Ch. Haut-Brion (previously known as Ch. Bahans Haut-Brion) and white La Clarté de Haut-Brion Blanc.
These second wines are selected only at the blending phase, meaning the wines are made to the same strict yield and standards of the Grand Vin right up until blending, post élevage. This makes the second wines at Haut-Brion great buys offering exceptional quality for the money.
Although Haut-Brion is known for being a highly consistent chateau, some vintages are especially spectacular. 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1992 are all winners, while Haut-Brion also produced particularly fine wine in "off-vintages" such as 1967 and 1974. More recent highlights have been 2005, 2009, 2015 and 2016 at 100 points from Parker apiece, while 2000, 2010 and 2018 have also given near perfect showings. While still carrying hefty price tags, Haut-Brion can also offer some of the best value available for a First Growth.