2010 Château Haut-Brion Ex-Château
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Tasting notes
Slightly fuller than La Mission and with slightly more pronounced tannin. For us this is on another energetic plane than La Mish and with a mid-palate which is rivalled only by a handful of other 2010s. We fancy this will be approachable relatively early if it doesn't close down but will age effortlessly because of its balace and power for at least 50 years
Critic scores
Jeannie Cho Lee MW
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Roasted spices and coffee on the nose. Pure black fruit that has a glossy, spirity sheen that is upheld by high alcohol. Heady and hedonistic, but not too much to allow complex fragrance to merge as well – a little herby touch as well as pepper and black olive. (RH)
A benchmark for what constitutes a perfect wine, the 2010 Château Haut-Brion is absolute perfection in a glass, and you won't find a better wine. Sensationally complex aromatics of red and black currants, scorched earth, cold fireplace, smoke, tobacco, and subtle iron notes all define the bouquet. This carries to a full-bodied, deep, rich, incredibly powerful Haut-Brion that has building tannins, a seamless, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. If I had to pick one wine to describe perfection in wine, this might be it. The 2010 is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, which came in at 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.83. Drink 2025-2100.
Intense and concentrated blackberry and cassis fruits, with olive tapenade and sweet red liquorice. This is muscular and opulent, seriously structured but with beautiful black truffle and squid ink notes that I find more usually in vintages like 2010 or 2016 - a suggestion of truly ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. The generosity of the vintage comes through in cinnamon and cumin spice, overlaid with incense and crushed rose petals. Exceptional. 100% new oak for ageing, Jean-Philippe Delmas director.
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.