2009 Larrivet Haut Brion
Buying options
Tasting notes
Medium intensity ruby red, this kicks off with a fully charged and charred sandalwood and cedar oak nose, that heads towards tar, relaxing a little to reveal creme de cassis and blueberry fruits. This is a wine that is making some exceptional vintages today, but I would sound a slight warning here.
Critic scores
Average Score
Decanter
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
A smoking good Pessac-Léognan, the 2009 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion takes about an hour of air to show at its best and offers a classic Graves bouquet of meaty black fruits, green tobacco, barbecue smoke, and cedar. It picks up more elegance and purity with time in the glass and is medium to full-bodied, with a sexy, layered texture, good acidity, and a great finish. This balanced, complex, stunning 2009 can be drunk any time over the coming 15-20 years or more.
The 2009 Larrivet Haut-Brion feels a little pinched on the nose, quite backward with black cherry and light black olive scents, becoming more marine like with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, slightly grainy in texture with brown spices sprinkled over the structured finish that feels a little bitter and rustic. Not sure how this will age. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.
Tasted blind. Blackish crimson with a mature rim. Really rather opulent and seductive on the nose with the freshness of Graves. Really fine ripe fruit in great balance. Long, reverberant and difficult to spit. Really excellent. (JR)
About the producer
Known as La Rivette prior to the late 19th century, this property is owned by the Gervoson family (best known for the Bonne Maman brand). They farm 75 hectares, with around seven of those dedicated to white grapes.