Chateau Haut Brion 1975

robert_parker89

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the Grand Cru Classe opening dinner at Haut-Brion. I used to encounter this vintage a lot a decade ago, when it was at its peak. However, this large format shows worrying signs that like La Mission ’75, they are beginning to dry out. It has an “Old Skool” nose that is dusty and antiquated, very herbaceous and a little animally. The red fruits that used to be here have gone. The palate is medium-bodied with dictated by its pointed, harsh acidity and a slightly hollow middle. It pulls itself together for the harmonious finish, but by then I’m already wanting to move onto something else. Tasted June 2011.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Blame me for completely misjudging this wine early in its life. I have since purchased it at auction because of its price/quality ratio. Haut-Brion, which can begin life as a soft, light wine, never appeared to have much intensity when tasted beside the phenomenal La Mission-Haut-Brion and La Tour-Haut-Brion. However, over the last 5-7 years that has changed. Either the wine has put on considerable weight, or I was off-form the many times I tasted it when young. The wine has developed the hauntingly complex, tobacco, roasted herb, singed leather, smoky, sweet, fruity nose of a great Haut-Brion. Full-bodied and intense, with noticeable ripe tannin, this is a wine of considerable richness and intensity. It offers delicious drinking after 1-2 hours of decanting, even though noticeable tannin remains. This wine is capable of another 15-20 years of cellaring. Yes, I did indeed underestimate this wine. I tasted it a half-dozen times in 1995 and at each tasting it was a formidable wine. Do not be surprised to see this rating go even higher, as I do not believe the 1975 Haut-Brion has reached its pinnacle. Impressive!

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Last Tasted 8/92 Fully mature, the 1975 Haut-Brion is an example of a wine from this vintage that is neither excessively tannic nor amazingly backward. The color is deep ruby/garnet with some noticeable amber at the edge. The nose offers classic scents of roasted tobacco and smoky, rich, ripe flavors. In the mouth, there is medium to full body, wonderful levels of glycerin and fruit extraction, and a sweet, lush, concentrated finish. It should be consumed over the next decade.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

First tasted in February 2001. A sublime Haut-Brion: possible the best of the decade. Complex leather/tobacco nose. Supreme balance on the palate. Full-bodied with ripe tannins. Great concentration and poise. This has a real depth and roundness to it and a great length. In some ways more enjoyable the La Mission at this stage. Tasted again at the FWE vertical in April 2004. A brick core with amber rim. The nose is very intense and upfront with copious waves of sweet red fruits, roasted meat, leather and dates. Lacks a little definition but very attractive. The palate displays seamless tannins, quite rich and full-bodied with refreshing acidity. Perhaps a bit blowsy, but this is still a really lovely Haut-Brion that is superior to the other first growths. Very long leathery, tarry finish. Absolutely delicious.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A wine I completely misjudged early in its life, the 1975 has turned out to be a great wine and one of the top dozen or so wines of the vintage. It actually comes close to competing with the immortal 1975 La Mission-Haut-Brion, one of the most powerful, concentrated wines made in Bordeaux in the last 25 years. The 1975 Haut-Brion shows a dark plum/garnet color, a gorgeously sweet nose of singed saddle leather, scorched earth, tobacco, herb, red as well as black currants, plum, fig, and creosote. Very full-bodied, intense, with noticeable but sweet tannin, this layered, full-bodied wine is very opulent, rich, with striking aromatics. It is a fabulous effort in a vintage that has lost considerable support form Bordeaux wine enthusiasts. This is one of the exceptions. Anticipated maturity: Now-2025. Last tasted, 11/02.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Château Haut-Brion 1975 has been variable in the past, however this is one of the better examples with deep garnet color. The nose is lively with leather and scorched earth scents infusing the dusky black fruit, later a faint touch of terracotta coming through. The palate is well balanced, quite animally and feral for a respectable First Growth, but that is exactly what lends it its charm. There is just some dryness creeping in on the finish, so I would drink bottles over the next ten years or so. Perhaps given the quality of its sister La Mission Haut-Brion in this year, you would expect more, but it remains a delightful, self-effacing Haut-Brion that is best consumed sooner rather than later. Tasted July 2014.