Chateau Haut Brion 1988

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1988 is built along the lines of the 1966, but better made and more concentrated. Medium-bodied, rich, and tannic, it will have to be cellared until the end of this century. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025. Last tasted, 6/93.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Last Tasted 8/92 This vintage merits more attention from consumers looking for a good buy. Just about every merchant in America is discounting their 1988s, making it one of the more attractively priced Bordeaux vintages. Haut Brion's 1988 is a more structured and tannic wine than the 1989, without the latter vintage's sweetness and sheer essence of jammy fruit. Nevertheless, there is plenty of concentration, a tight yet promising nose of black fruits, earth, tobacco, and minerals, as well as a medium-bodied, long, moderately tannic finish. This wine continues to reveal more personality and character now that it is in the bottle. Although drinkable now, the wine ideally needs another 3-4 years of cellaring and should easily last as long as the 1989 (25 years) .

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1988 Haut-Brion is built along the lines of the 1966, but it is more concentrated and powerful. The dense bouquet of tobacco, ripe, black fruits and spicy oak has just begun to develop. Medium-bodied, rich, tannic, with a good inner-core of fruit, this wine will have to be cellared until the end of this century. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025.

robert_parker89

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

This is one of the better bottles of Haut-Brion ‘88s that I have had. A deep garnet hue with a deep brick rim. The nose is austere and conservative with cedar, pine, leather and cigar box but good definition and vigour. The palate displays fresh acidity, an austere, slightly lean character with a firmness creeping in towards the finish. Great purity though, but just lacking something in the middle. Drink now. Tasted September 2007.

robert_parker87

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Quite youthful in appearance compared to the 1989 and 1990 but dwarfed by both on the nose and palate. A dry herbal, woody nose typical of so many 1988's - very little fruit. The palate is austere, a bit mean and lacking some cohesion. Leafy tobacco finish. Definitely needs some food to accompany it. A bit disappointed considering this is a first growth; rather skeletal when all is said and done. Drink now. Tasted April 2004.

robert_parker0

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A Possible Legend Candidate

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1988 Haut-Brion is built along the lines of the 1966, but it is more concentrated and powerful. The dense bouquet of tobacco, ripe, black fruits and spicy oak has just begun to develop. The wine is medium-bodied, rich, and tannic, with a good inner-core of fruit. This wine will have to be cellared until the end of this century. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025. Last tasted 1/93

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A more firmly structured Haut-Brion, built somewhat along the lines of the 1996, this dark garnet-colored wine is showing notes of licorice, underbrush, compost, truffles, dried herbs, creosote, and sweet black cherries and currants. Medium-bodied, rich, but still structured, this wine unfolds incrementally on the palate, showing superb density and a lot of complex Graves elements. It is just beginning to hit its plateau of full maturity. Anticipated maturity: Now-2025. Last tasted, 11/02.