Chateau Haut Brion 2004

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

This is an excellent Haut-Brion from a modest vintage. It has a charming, lifted nose of blackberry, cranberry and fresh black olives, all with fine definition and refinement. The palate is medium-bodied, very refined as if the wine is holding everything back until later. There are notes of blackberry, cranberry and a touch of raspberry leaf with a cedar/sous-bois character becoming more evident with aeration. Great persistency, but it is the sheer elegance of this wine that seduces. Impressive. Drink 2012-2025+ Tasted November 2008.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Medium to deep garnet colour. The nose is still a little mute giving a moderate intensity of youthful aromas: ripe plums, cassis, Chinese five spice, moss and a fair amount of cedar. Oak tannins seem to dominate the structure contributing to the taut astringency of the palate yet there is a good amount of ripe berry and earthy fruit plus medium acidity to balance. Long earthy finish. Drink 2012 to 2034. Tasted February 2009.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The nose is quite muted at first. Then aromas of blackberry, black olives and blueberry emerge, though it does not have the attack of La Mission. Like La Mission, the palate is very smooth with ripe black fruits, seamless texture, no rough edges here. Sweet black fruits, very focused, moderate weight. More broody than La Mission. I would just like a bit more weight on the mid-palate, a little more grip on the finish, otherwise this is a lovely Haut-Brion. Tasted April 2005.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

It has been a few years since I last tasted the 2004 Haut-Brion. Now at 12 years of age, it retains its deep color. The bouquet is "pleasant" if not as complex as the 2004 Latour, yet it's possibly just biding its time as it gradually opens with black fruit, black olive, even a touch of mint that might dupe you into thinking Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied and very harmonious, almost caressing thanks to the Merlot lending that velvety texture. The second half changes tack, the Cabernet nudging the Merlot off the stage and delivering a more structured, possibly foursquare finish that is linear and correct. It is an excellent wine for the vintage although it will always be overshadowed by the 2005 inter alia. Maybe more personality just needs to develop? Tasted September 2016.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Although atypically delicate and light for this estate, the 2004 Haut-Brion exhibits the essence of this fabulous terroir situated in the suburbs of Pessac. Gravelly, smoky, cranberry, black cherry, and plum-like scents jump from the glass of this fresh, medium-bodied red along with notions of road tar, earth, and truffles. Stylish, with crisp acidity, it is a beautifully made, pure, long 2004 to enjoy during its first two decades of life.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

An atypically high percentage of Merlot (61%) in addition to 19% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon make up the 2004 Haut-Brion. Fifty-five percent of the production was utilized for the grand vin, a surprisingly forward, charming, silky effort despite the relatively high tannin. In fact, it reminded me of the 1985 even though those vintage conditions have nothing in common with 2004 other than high yields. In any event, the 2004 is a beautiful effort that is far superior to the 2002. Soft, gentle, and gracious, with a deep plum/ruby/purple color, it offers up aromas of smoked herbs, sweet plums and black cherries, and hints of mulberries as well as earth. Medium-bodied, structured, pure, round, and seductive, with a long finish, there is more here than meets the eye and the palate. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2024.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the French Embassy in London. The Haut-Brion ’04 may be entering a rather awkward phase. The nose is reticent at first and demands continued coaxing from the glass. Blackberry, cranberry and leather eventually emerge, later joined by bay leaf, leather and a touch of wild heather. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, dominated by cedar and undergrowth characters. It does lack a little depth and there is a touch of piquancy towards the finish. I feel this is entering a dumb phase but will come through the other side with all guns firing. Drink 2015-2030. Tasted November 2010.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The dark plum/ruby-hued 2004 Haut-Brion exhibits a noble, discreet, smoky bouquet revealing notions of plum liqueur, black currants, sweet cherries, and subtle earth. In addition to its aromatic complexity, this medium-bodied effort reveals classic elegance and delicacy as well as sweet fruit in the mouth and a long finish. Give this streamlined, civilized wine 2-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 20-25 years. It is amazingly similar to Haut-Brion’s 1999.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good deep ruby-red. Reticent nose showed some dark cherry with aeration. Densely packed but youthfully closed, even a bit austere today, offering hints of black raspberry and minerals. This is fairly tannic wine (the IPT is 72) but there's nothing hard about it. My sample gained in sweetness and texture with aeration, although its fruit character remained tightly wound. Give this time in a carafe if you plan to try it anytime soon. At this tasting, the '04 La Mission was showing much more personality.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Captivating aromas of black raspberry, mocha, smoke and minerals. Fat, round and seamless, with deep spice and smoke notes adding interest to the dark fruit flavors. Finishes sweet, subtle and very long. This is still quite primary, even a bit youthfully tight.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(a blend of 61% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon and 19% cabernet franc) Deep full ruby. Cool, complex nose combines black raspberry, black cherry, blueberry, minerals and hot stones. Sweet, lush and densely packed; comes across as fresher than the 3.8 pH and 3 grams of acidity would suggest. Finishes with substantial but very suave tannins. The cabernet sauvignon component was reduced by some coulure at the end of the flowering, which Jean-Philippe Delmas described as the equivalent of a first eclaircissage