Chateau Haut Brion 2008

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This is profound! 2008 Haut-Brion: The extraordinary 2008 Haut-Brion is a candidate for -wine of the vintage.- Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, it reveals more evolution and complexity in its large-scaled perfume. The dense purple color is followed by a sweet nose of creosote, asphalt, blueberries, black currants and jammy raspberries, sweet tannins, a savory, fleshy mouthfeel and a stunning finish. This incredibly pure, noble wine was produced from one of the estate's smallest crops (only 7,000 cases produced versus the usual 12,000 cases). It should drink well for three decades or more.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. Tasted from two bottles, the Haut Brion 2008 has an austere, quite earthy bouquet with brambly red fruit, wild strawberry and cranberry, well-integrated new oak and palpable mineralite. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent entry; fine acidity, very svelte tannins with judicious creamy new oak rounding off the seductive, yet muscular finish with a peacock’s tail of graphite and sous-bois on the aftertaste. Difficult to separate from La Mission at the moment, although I think this is the longer-term bet. Tasted January 2012.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at Hermitage Wines’ seminar in Hong Kong. I adore the 2008. The nose just soars from the glass with crystalline delineation, a real sense of mineralite at a level that I have not found in previous bottles. The palate is brimming full of tension and vitality, very strict and classic in style with crisp blackberry, graphite and sous-bois, adorned with a beguiling sense of symmetry towards the graphite-tinged finish. Do not ignore this little gem. Tasted November 2011.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Production for the 2008 Haut-Brion represents only 35% of the grapes harvested, and while production can be over 12,000 cases in an abundant vintage, 2008 will be one of their smallest ever, with only 7,000 cases produced from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc. The 2008 reminds me of a hypothetical blend of the 1996 and 1998. It is a classic, elegant, but substantial Haut-Brion with a dense ruby/purple color as well as crushed rock, spring flower, blueberry, and black currant characteristics presented in a vivid, vibrant, full-bodied style that cuts an ethereal feel across the palate. Haut-Brion is somewhat akin to Cheval Blanc in that it can be seemingly light on the palate, but very intense in flavor. That is the case with the 2008. There is plenty of tannin, but it is very ripe. This impressive, deep wine requires patience, and a ten year wait is mandatory. This formidable Haut-Brion should have a 40-50 year lifeline.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion. The Haut-Brion 2008 has a delightful, quite feminine nose with pure blackberry, briary, crushed stones, scents of crushed violet and fresh black olive. Superb definition. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins, more matiere than La Mission: very harmonious, fresh and vibrant. This is a ‘strict’, ‘classic’ Haut Brion with cedar, sous-bois and more graphite and bay leaf towards the finish that is very assured, lingering long in the mouth. The tannins will need several years to soften, yet this is a very appealing Haut-Brion destined to be unfairly over-shadowed by the 2009. Drink 2016-2040. Tasted October 2010.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

En primeur barrel sample. A blend of 41% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc. The nose is very expressive, ripe redcurrants, wild strawberries, a touch of gravel and a little wild hedgerow and black plum. The bouquet appears to be more expressive than recent vintages. The palate is very well balanced and slightly grainy, very fresh, lots of energy on the finish with a minerally undertow. The focus is very impressive: one feels this is an Haut-Brion that will blossom after bottling, for unlike the nose, the palate feels as if it is holding something back. Firm tannins, traces of earth and bay leaf on the finish. Excellent – but patience is necessary. Tasted April 2009.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

(50% cabernet sauvignon, 41% merlot and 9% cabernet franc) Deep ruby, darker than La Mission. The closed nose is classic Bordeaux, with ripe cassis and graphite aromas nicely lifted by violet and mineral, and showing an obvious presence of high-quality cabernet franc. Rich and opulent on the palate, with loads of ripe black fruits framed by bright but harmonious acids and extremely smooth tannins. With its very long, sweet finish, this is one of the best wines of the vintage. In 2008, Haut-Brion's larger vineyard area (43 hectares, vs. 21 for La Mission) gave it more to choose from for the grand vin than was possible at La Mission. According to estate manager Jean-Philippe Delmas, there were some particularly fine cabernets picked this year at Haut-Brion, such as the old vines from the Arcachon parcel, which are two-thirds cabernet sauvignon and one-third franc.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2008 Haut Brion has a very perfumed and floral bouquet: ebullient raspberry coulis and crushed strawberry fruit, sage and a hint of black olive. It just builds momentum in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. It feels a little grainy in texture, centered upon gravelly black fruit laced with black olive and smoke. It felt more austere than I expected, the finish reserved and somehow contained and yet the aftertaste is extraordinarily long. Avoid opening bottles for now because this was always one of the standout wines of the vintage, but at 10 years old it might be going through a dumb phase. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)

vinous93

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Deep ruby. Sexy floral lift to the aromas of red fruits, iron, mocha and flowers. Concentrated and ripe yet silky on the attack, then strikingly deep in the middle, with lovely energy to the flavors of blueberry, cassis and graphite. This very rich, suave wine displays a fleshy mouthfeel and finishes very long and smoothly tannic. One of the my favorite wines of the vintage.