Chateau Haut Brion 1992

robert_parker89

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at The Arches. This has a light, rather austere, leafy nose with scents of wild blackberries bush, scorched earth, cigar box and a touch of ink. Medium-bodied on the palate, struck through with a degree of elegance with cedar, leather complemented by hints of mulberry. Rather attenuated towards the finish, but certainly not thin considering the vintage, although with aeration there is a bitter element that is "nagging" rather than "annoying". Drink now - don't leave this much longer. Drink now-2011. Tasted June 2009.

robert_parker88

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1992 reveals a deep ruby color, a sweet, ripe nose of black fruits, smoke, and minerals, fine ripeness and richness, medium body, an elegant personality, and a supple, slightly tannic finish. It should be mature in 4-5 years and last for 15 or more.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Forty percent of the 1992 harvest was eliminated from Haut-Brion's final blend. The result is a stylish yet authoritatively flavored wine that reminds me of a slightly down-sized version of the superb 1985. A beautiful deep ruby color is followed by a penetrating bouquet of black fruits, smoke, and minerals. Fine ripeness and outstanding richness allied to medium body, an elegant personality, and a supple, moderately tannic finish suggest this wine will be mature in 4-5 years and last for 15-20. A terrific success in 1992!

robert_parker89

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This wine is an immensely successful effort for the vintage, with elegance, sweetness, and a medium plum/garnet color already beginning to show some lightening at the edge. It has developed quickly, although the wine has surprising fruit and personality for such a dreadful vintage. The wine shows good cedary, spice box, cigar, and tobacco notes intermixed with minerals, sweet plum, and cherry. The finish is a bit short and attenuated, but the aromatics, attack, and mid-palate are delicious. Anticipated maturity: Now-2008. Last tasted, 11/02.

vinous85

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Spotted on a list for a reasonable price, the 1992 Haut-Brion really did not do much for me. Light and austere on the nose with faint Monte Cristo cigar scents, it begs the question: where's the fruit? The palate is slightly better with a modicum of finesse, yet it feels hollow and dries towards the finish.