Château Haut Brion 2005

Chateau Haut Brion 2005

1er Cru Classé

Pessac-Leognan

75cl.

- Delivery time about 3 weeks from order -

- Not subject to discounts and/or promotions -

Condition and provenance guaranteed

Original wooden case of 6 bottles

Notes on the vintage:

"Elegant and complex, the red wine of Château Haut-Brion is very mineral and of rare complexity, it stands out for its surprising length, this aromatic persistence is a privilege of very great origins.

The color is so dense that the wine appears almost black, atramentary. On the nose, the aromatic intensity of this wine is breathtaking.
It cannot deny its origins, since we find all the complexity that characterizes Haut-Brion : its notes of smoke, havana, roasted coffee beans. There is also fresh fruit: currants, cherries. From the start, this wine surprises with its density. It is long, creamy, broad, powerful and fresh. It invades you, it penetrates you.
Power and harmony are the hallmarks of this vintage. The aromatic persistence is incredibly long.

The climate
2005 will remain in our memory as a historically dry year. This feature emerges in winter when there is a significant water deficit. Despite a rainy month of April, the rains remained rare until the harvest. Temperatures are high throughout the year. The 2005 presents climatic conditions very close to those of the legendary 1949 vintage. The latter allowed us on the eve of the harvest to obtain small grapes, of never known concentration and in perfect sanitary conditions.

Some data
Harvest date From 1st to 26th September
Blend of Merlot Noir: 56%; Cabernet Sauvignon: 39%
Cabernet Franc: 5%
New barrels 87%
Alcohol content 14%
Launch date June 29 to July 6, 2007"

Reviews:

Robert Parker , Wine Advocate: 100
"The mineral-laced 2005 Haut Brion (56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc) is exquisite. With its elegance and finesse, it is not as powerful as La Mission, but the nobility and complexity of the aromatics, incredible fragrance (subtle smoke and blue, red, and black fruits) that persists in the glass, full-bodied mouthfeel (though very light and delicate on its feet), and incredible length characterizes this great Haut-Brion. drink well, and should continue to do so for at least another three decades. It is a tour de force in winemaking, but only 9,000 cases were produced. Drink 2015-2045." ( 219), June 2015

James Suckling : 100
"This is a wine that makes you dream. The nose is packed with flowers, sweet tobacco, iodine, spices, raspberries, blackberries, and great freshness. The texture is perfection, pure silk and the fruit is wonderfully complex and subtle. Currants, fresh mushrooms, flowers, and stones fill the mouth and make way to a delightful finish. Please leave this alone until 2020." James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2011

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW : 100
" The 2005 Haut-Brion is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-brick in color, the nose explodes with heart-thumping floral and fragrant earth notes over a core of Morello cherries , black raspberries, and creme de cassis.It is medium to full-bodied, with super-firm, ripe tannins and a lively backbone lending a rock-solid structure to the bright, muscular fruit.The palate absolutely shimmers with stunning mineral and floral notes, finishing with epic length. Tantalizingly good now, expect even greater things with 5-10 more years of bottle age. It will cellar to 2070 and, most likely, well beyond. Bought by an American banker / financier Clarence Dillon in 1935, it remains in the family today, with Prince Robert of Luxembourg now managing the 125-acre estate on the edge of Bordeaux city, in the town of Pessac.The soils include some very deep gravels and a good amount of clay.Clonal variation adds to the complexity of the site, with over 500 different clones. Jean-Phillip Delmas is the third generation in his family to oversee winemaking at this estate. The style is often more elegant, minerally, and refined than its flamboyant sibling La Mission Haut-Brion. Indeed, Haut-Brion can appear austere in its youth." The Wine Independent, July 2022

Jane Anson : 100
"Amazingly young at 17 years old, barely at the stage of stretching its limbs, but everything is here and in place, crouched and ready. Rich in flavour, luscious black fruits that are full of life, this is an exceptional Haut-Brion, performing beautifully in a year where everything went right, but nothing was in excess.You get the full complexity of this site, with a myraid of dark fruits, plump berries, liqourice, pencil lead, mandarin peel and cocoa, you can comfortably cellar this for another few decades, but if you must open now, give it 6-8 hours in a carafe.Jean-Phillip Delmas winemaker, two years into his tenure at the time after taking over from his father Jean-Bernard Delmas in 2003. 100 %new oak." Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, September 2022

Jancis Robinson : 18+/20

"Tasted blind. Exotic, voluptuous nose. Rich and velvety. Arguably over the top but pretty damned glorious really. Still masses of tannins but this could be a very ambitious left bank first! Drink 2020-2050" Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com , March 2017