1999 Haut Brion
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Tasting notes
Based on 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 1999 Château Haut-Brion offers classic Haut-Brion scorched earth and smokiness as well as loads of ripe currant and darker fruits, leafy herbs, truffle, and chocolaty nuances. It's more broad and expansive than the La Mission Haut-Brion, but it also lacks a touch of the purity and precision of that wine. This brooding, layered, expressively textured Haut-Brion is drinking at point today and I certainly don't see if getting any better, but I have no doubt it will evolve for another decade or more if well stored.
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Average Score
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More reviews and scores
The 1999 Haut-Brion is a very fine vintage from the estate, although it is probably overshadowed by the overachieving 1998. This bottle has the sensuality on the nose that I have observed before but is a little more opulent than I recall, yet very delineated with black truffle, cedar and cigar humidor infusing the black fruit. The palate is well balanced with soft, almost velvety tannin. There is a sweet candied core of fruit in situ , laced with orange peel and black cherries. It fans out nicely toward the finish, which is generous rather than complex. Perfect to drink now, though I can envisage this giving another 20 years of drinking pleasure. Tasted from an ex- château bottle at the estate.
Gold. Very spicy nose. Rich and full and broad. Very flattering. Dry finish but very promising for the long term. Lots of acidity. (JR)
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.