2022 Haut Brion
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Ch. Haut-Brion is much more austere than La Mission Haut-Brion, as is typically the case. But, while it is often less charming en primeur, this year it is even tighter and stricter, and is outshone by the exuberance of its sibling. Graphite notes dominate the fruit, in a somewhat unexpected way. On the palate, it is tightly packed yet not revealing much at this stage, although there’s good purity and balance on the long finish. This is surely a Grand Vin, but will need time to be approachable. Aged in 63% new oak. Blend: 53.6% Merlot, 34.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc
Critic scores
Average Score
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
53.6% Merlot, 35.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Hallmark Haut-Brion opulence of texture. Powerful tannic frame behind. Lovely depth of fruit. Dark- and red-fruit notes with a touch of liquorice as it opens. Complex, powerful and persistent with enough freshness to provide balance. (JL)
Picture walking into a flower show with a basket of fresh berries and a lit Cuban cigar, and while that is not quite PC, it is the aromatic profile here. On the palate, the wine is fresh, bright, vibrant, lifted and floral. The wine is elevated, refined, soft, and silky with a refreshing, silky edge to the fruits in the finish. The wine is pure elegance There is nothing between you and the fruits. There is intensity, length, and a striking sense of purity. The wine lingers seamlessly for 60 seconds, or longer. The wine blends 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. 14.45% ABV, 3.83 pH. Harvesting took place August 29 - September 15. Yields were 35 hectoliters per hectare, with 50% of the harvest placed into the Grand Vin. This is not only in competition for wine of the vintage, it is one of the best vintages of Haut Brion ever produced. If you are an Haut-Brion fan with the disposable income, you cannot own enough of this future legend.
The 2022 Haut-Brion comes across as a bit restrained, given the natural opulence of the year and the other wines in the Clarence Dillon portfolio. Deep and wonderfully layered, the 2022 possesses remarkable depth but also a bit less of the explosive energy that is such a Haut-Brion signature. I suspect that will come in time, as the 2022 starts to show quite a bit better with a little aeration. Violet, gravel, incense, leather, tobacco and scorched earth linger. Superb.
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.