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chateau haut-brion premier cru classe, pessac-leognan 2017
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE
97
DECANTER
97

2017 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

ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE
97

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

A blend of 53 Merlot, 6.3 Cabernet Franc and 40.7 Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Haut-Brion sashays gracefully out of the glass with fragrant notions of black raspberries, kirsch, dark chocolate, star anise and candied violets with a core of warm red and black currants and a touch of pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts with red and black fruit layers, superbly supported by firm, ripe, finely grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced.

DECANTER
97

Decanter

A hugely captivating wine, one of the contenders for red of the vintage. There's an incredible plush, dense texture to the fruit here, with just the slightest pulling back on the final section that suggests the damson, cassis and black cherry fruit is not at the full extent of ripeness seen in 2016 and 2015, but there is absolutely no question that this is a successful, rich and well-expressed wine. It's extremely powerful and well constructed, with great tannins and a succulence which grows through the palate. 3.73pH.

JEB DUNNUCK
93

Jeb Dunnuck

A more structured, straight, focused wine than the La Mission Haut-Brion, the 2017 Chateau Haut-Brion is based on a similar blend of 53 Merlot, 40.7 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6.3 Cabernet Franc brought up in 69 new French oak. Plenty of cassis and red currant fruits as well as notes of tobacco, Asian spices, cedar pencil, and violets all emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant, nicely textured, and concentrated Haut-Brion. It's very much in the classic, sleek style of the vintage and has good acidity, plenty of polished tannins, and a great finish, yet not a massive amount of flesh or baby fat. This classic effort needs 7-8 years of bottle age and will have 30+ years of longevity. Rating: 93+

WINE SPECTATOR
96

Wine Spectator

Features red and black currant fruit flavors, laced with bramble, apple wood and anise notes, backed by a powerfully rendered finish. Despite the heft and density, this comes off as refined, with streamlined tannins, buried acidity and a long finish of incense and red tea elements. Not as dense and backward as the top years, but still exhibits pedigree. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2040.

TIM ATKIN
97

Tim Atkin

Super concentrated black fruit aromas, with just a tinge of oak, and a whiff of ripe menthol and peppermint. Brooding, with tar and violet complexity. Rich in the mouth with concentrated fruit flavours, spices, and damson notes. Dry tannins, fresh acidity. Very long indeed. For me, La MHB has it this year, with just a little more layered complexity.

JAMES SUCKLING
98

James Suckling

This is extremely aromatic and perfumed with crushed-berry, flower, currant and orange-peel character. Full-bodied, very tight and focused with fabulous depth and density that brings you down through the wine. Deep and serious. Very classic wine that reminds me of top Haut-Brions of the mid-1980s. Try after 2025.

WINE ENTHUSIAST
96

Wine Enthusiast

This perfumed wine shines with black fruits. Against this, the wine’s tannins are solid and firm, promising long-term aging. The wine’s structure black fruits against tannins is a classic for this estate. Drink from 2024.