1959 Château Haut-Brion
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Tasting notes
Black currants, tobacco blackberries, dried flowers, spice and smoke from burning campfire embers create the intoxicating aromatic profile. Rich, opulent, silky and showy on the palate, as well as elegant. There’s a hint of chocolate accompanying the red fruits, spice, and cigar wrappers in the finish that seals the deal. This is at, or probably past its apogee. There is no reason to hold for more development. Drink from 2026-2031.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1959 Haut-Brion is, in my view, the most moving of the utterly profound wines on the table. Ripe and flamboyant, the 1959 races across the palate with kirsch, mint, licorice and tobacco, all in an unctuous, flashy style that captivates all the senses. A darker and more voluptuous version of the 1961, the 1959 has it all. Layered and sweet on the palate, with fabulous depth and breathtaking complexity, the 1959 boasts superb polish, a long, seamless finish and tremendous harmony. At times, the 1959 exhibits an almost Burgundian-like sense of finesse and lightness on the palate. Quite simply, this is as good as it gets. The 1959 shows no signs of fading; rather it is likely to gradually lose intensity over the next 10-15 years, although it may last well beyond that. I wasn’t born when the 1959 was made, so I can only imagine what it must have tasted like as a young wine. Even today, it is incredibly rich. In a word: unforgettable. (AG)
Dark crimson with an aged rim. Polished, sweet, fully ripe, seductive fruit – wonderful. And it has retained freshness and vivacity too. Perfectly balanced. A long-lived marvel. (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.