2012 chateau haut-brion premier cru classe, pessac-leognan
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Why We're Buying
If an estate receives 100-point ratings, that's a monumental achievement. At Château Haut-Brion, that's par for the course. The Premier grand cru classé property has earned seven perfect scores from wine critic Robert Parker for its red grand vin. Of the 1,000+ châteaux in France, none of them have obtained perfection more often.
Critics Scores
Vinous
A big, powerful wine, the 2012 Haut-Brion possesses stunning richness and intensity, with all of the depth that is lacking in so many other wines in this vintage. Not here. The 2012 possesses remarkable depth and tons of raw, animal power that is going to require considerable time in bottle to soften. Readers should be in no rush; the 2012 Haut-Brion is a wine for the ages. Smoke, graphite, dried herbs and blue/purplish stone fruits grace the exotic, alluring finish.
James Suckling
Amazing aromas of wet stones, earth, currants and berries. Subtle and complex. Full body and a beautiful core of ripe fruit on the palate and the finish. Round, light, chewy tannins. Needs at least four or five years to open. This is the most merlot ever in Haut-Brion. Rich too. One of the wines of the vintage. 65.5 merlot, 32.5 cabernet sauvignon and 25 cabernet franc. Better in 2020.
Wine Enthusiast
Firm and solid, this is one of the successes of 2012. It’s properly dark and tough at this stage, with that serious intent that’s a hallmark of Haut-Brion. Layers of firm tannins are interspersed with blackberry fruits and juicy acidity. The wine is dense and concentrated, with the wood aging still showing. This powerful wine will need many years. Drink from 2024. Cellar Selection.
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
One of the unqualified successes of the vintage, the 2012 Château Haut-Brion possesses power that many other châteaux lack. Very deep in color, the wine's aromas and flavors of red and black fruit, earth and tar, and mineral and leaves just go on and on and on. The tannic structure suggests longevity in the bottle. (Tasted: April 8, 2016, Pessac, France)
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 Haut-Brion has an open and generous bouquet with blackcurrant pastille, cassis and briary aromas the exude very pure Merlot. The palate is medium-bodied with a sumptuous opening that is rare in 2012: rounded and generous, caressing in the mouth with black plum and blackcurrant towards the finish, residues of truffle and white pepper lingering on the aftertaste that turn very savory after 15 minutes—bacon fat or Italian cured meats. There is a lot to love about this Haut-Brion although in this blind showing I scored it the same as La Mission Haut-Brion. Who will stick their neck out as the two wines mature? Tasted January 2016.
Wine Spectator
This combines power and refinement, with a singed alder frame around a dense core of red and black currant, plum and blackberry fruit. Notes of bay, black tea and tar line the finish. Has a lovely, fine-grained feel that lets the dark, hefty fruit drape beautifully. The tobacco element hangs in the background. Sneakily long. Best from 2018 through 2030.