Overview
Château Haut-Brion is a French wine, rated a Premier Cru Classé (First Growth), produced in Pessac just outside the city of Bordeaux. It differs from the other wines on the list in its geographic location in the north of the wine-growing region of Graves. Of the five first growths, it is the only wine with the Pessac-Léognan appellation and is in some sense the ancestor of a classification that remains the benchmark to this day.
In addition to the grand vin, Haut-Brion produces a red second wine. Formerly named Château Bahans Haut-Brion, beginning with the 2007 vintage, it was renamed Le Clarence de Haut Brion. The vineyard also produces a dry white wine named Château Haut-Brion Blanc, with a limited release of the second dry white wine, Les Plantiers du Haut-Brion, renamed La Clarté de Haut-Brion for the 2008 vintage.
The Estate
One of the oldest wineries in Bordeaux, ancient documents show that Chateau Haut-Brion was growing grape vines as far back as the 15th century, however evidence suggests that the first vines may have been planted there as early as the 1stcentury A.D. The name Haut-Brion is derived from “Briga”—an ancient Celtic word meaning “high place” or “hill.”
This 48-hectare estate is distinguished among other Bordeaux vineyards for being an innovator in many aspects of the industry; for example, they were the first to market their wine outside their own appellation, and also one of the first to produce a wine that lends itself exceedingly well to cellaring. It was also the only First Growth wine (awarded that status in 1855) that was not from the Medoc appellation.
The Terroir
Acreage :
- 48 Ha for red wines (45.4% Merlot, 43.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot)
- 3 Ha for white wines (52.6% Sémillon, 47.4% Sauvignon Blanc)
Climat & Soil :
-The vines are elevated up to 27 meters above the Bordeaux norm.
-The soil consist of Günzan gravel and some parcels have high contents of clay
Average age of the vine : 35 years old (oldest parcels dating back to the 1930’s)
Vine density : 8.000/Ha
Harvest : manual
Aging : 18 month in 35% new casks (for the 1st wine) and 18 month in 25% new oak barrels for the « Le Clarence ».
10-12 months in 40-45% new oak barrels for the white wine.
Annual production : 10.000-12.000 cases (900 to 1080 hL)
Château Haut-Brion 1er Cru Classe Pessac-Leognan
Overview: “The oldest of the Bordeaux classed growths, the inventor of a new style of wine in the 17th century, the world’s first luxury brand…whenever Chateau Haut-Brion is mentioned, one quickly runs out of superlatives. This wine is the embodiment of 5 centuries of tradition and plays a pivotal role in the worldwide history of wine.”
Production Area: 48.35 ha
Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Soil: Mineral-rich soils composed of clay and sand topped with a layer of deep gravel
Vinification: The process takes place in double skinned stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is followed by blending after which the wine is placed in barrels to age
Aging: 18-22 months in oak casks (80% new wood)
Annual Production: 10,000-12,000 cases
Winemaker Notes: “The initial impression is one of a certain discretion and even restraint the prerogative of any person with self confidence. At every swirl, you discover new aromas, which build up into great complexity. The terroir is expressed in this wine through a unique signature with an empyreumatic bouquet (Havana cigars, chocolate, roasting, cedar wood, etc.). The attack has the same restraint with precise, exceedingly soft tannins. But the power of this wine is revealed in the surprising long mid-palate and even longer finish. This aromatic persistence is the prerogative of very great origins.”
Château Bahans Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan
Overview: The Bahans Haut-Brion is the second-label wine of Chateau Haut-Brion, Premier Grand Cru Classe, and is produced from the same grapes grown for the estate’s flagship wine. The estate employs the same amount of care and attention to detail to its second wine as to the Grand Vin. This wine was renamed “Le Clarence de Haut-Brion” in 2007 in honor of American Clarence Dillon, who took ownership of Chateau Haut-Brion in 1935.
Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Soil: Mineral-rich soils composed of clay and sand topped with a layer of deep gravel
Vinification: The process takes place in double skinned stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is followed by blending after which the wine is placed in barrels to age
Aging: Partially aged for 18-22 months in 20-25% new wood, the rest ages in casks used for the previous vintage of the Grand Vin
Average Production: 5,000-7,000 cases
Winemaker Notes: “A scaled-down, lighter version of Chateau Haut-Brion Rouge. This wine offers all the specific traits of the Grand Vin in a dimension that will allow you to enjoy it sooner (we recommend waiting five years on average before tasting this second wine instead of ten years as for the Grand Vin). The Bahans Haut-Brion is a wonderful learning opportunity to enjoy as a prelude to tasting Chateau Haut-Brion.”
Le Clarence de Haut-Brion
History: In 1935, Château Haut-Brion was acquired by the American banker Clarence Dillon. In 1939, he turned it into a hospital to accommodate the wounded officers of the French army. Since then, the property is still part of the same family. Clarence de Haut-Brion is the second wine of Château Haut-Brion, Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855, and comes from the same vines as the first wine.
Production Area: 48 hectares
Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Tasting Notes: This wine is a deep, purplish-red in the glass, with brilliant highlights. Initially slightly reserved on the nose, it developed fascinating complexity on aeration. Fresh red-berry fruit was accented by hints of spicier aromas, such as cocoa. The initial impression was very soft and soothing on the palate, but the tannic structure gradually affirmed its presence, combining firmness with great finesse. This wine confirmed our assessment from recent vintages that Le Clarence de Haut-Brion can certainly be considered a great wine.
Château Haut-Brion Blanc
Overview: Château Haut-Brion Blanc remains an icon in the world of exceptional white wines (400-650 cases per year). This particular blend gives this wine, from a terroir of Graves, an atypical concentration and depth for a dry white Bordeaux.
Appellation: Pessac-Léognan
Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Tasting Notes: This wine has great contrast between the nose and the mouth. The aromas announce a wine with much freshness. Bright, citrus notes are dominant and pink grapefruit invades all the olfactory senses, but the mouth feel is full and creamy. The vivacity returns on the finish and gives this wine a very beautiful length.
La Clarté De Haut Brion Blanc
Overview: La Clarté de Haut-Brion is the second white wine of the estate and boasts a legendary and unique kinship: made from grapes grown on the Haut-Brion terroir, it is born of two prestigious estates: Château Haut-Brion and Château La Mission Haut-Brion.
First Vintage: 2009
Grape Varieties: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc