Château Haut-Brion 2011

The smoothness and aromatic brilliance of a Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé

The estate

The oldest Bordeaux Grands Crus, Château Haut-Brion benefits from a rich heritage built on five centuries of history. Founded in 1533 by Jean de Pontac in the Graves region, the wine by Château Haut-Brion was quickly coveted and adored by the greatest European monarchs. In 1663, Samuel Pepys, a member of the English Parliament, unknowingly contributed to the success of Château Haut-Brion through his diary, writing "And here drank a sort of French wine, called Ho Bryan, that hath a good and most particular taste that I never met with...’’ The legend was born. First Grand Cru Classé outside of the Médoc region in 1855 and recognised as a Cru Classé in the 1959 Official Graves Wine Classification, Château Haut-Brion continues to write the legend of the world's finest wines by confirming, vintage after vintage, its exceptional consistency.

The vineyard

A true gem among the fine Pessac-Léognan wines, in the Bordeaux region, Château Haut-Brion has an exceptional terroir that rests on soils composed of multicoloured gravel. From one vintage to another, the estate produces incredibly consistent sumptuous, elegant, precise wines.

The vintage

The year 2011 was marked by the driest spring since 1949. The rainy spells during the summer months were beneficial in refining the ripeness of the grapes. The harvest took place during a relatively dry month of September.

The blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (46%)

Merlot (35%)

Cabernet Franc (19%).

Château Haut-Brion 2011: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

The colour is a beautiful deep red.

Nose

Intense, the nose blends fragrances of ripe black fruit and cocoa beans with delicious smoky notes of liquorice.

Palate

The attack is fine and elegant. The palate showcases an alluring power with its coated tannins as well as its beautifully persistent finish.