Wine Advisor
La Tour Haut Brion 1995
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 1995 is a little muted on the nose and demands coaxing but it is worth the effort with powerful ripe black fruits, a touch of oyster shell, black olive and brine. One of those Pessac scents that remind you of the sea. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, much more backward than the 1994. It is very well knit and pure, reluctantly developing second flavours. Focused on the rounded, supple finish with a hint of sea salt on the aftertaste. Excellent. Tasted September 2011.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Haut-Brion's long-term administrator, the highly respected Jean Delmas, has been working hard to improve the intensity and character of La Tour-Haut-Brion. That is evidenced by the 1993-95 vintages. A dark ruby color with purple tints is followed by a wine with more tannin than its two younger siblings. Ripe, sweet black fruit aromas have not yet begun to reveal the estate's earthy side. The wine is medium-bodied, with nearly outstanding concentration, sweet tannin, and a moderately weighty mouthfeel. It will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and drink well for 15 years. This is probably the finest La Tour-Haut-Brion since the massive 1982.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A dark ruby color with purple tints is followed by a wine with more tannin than its two younger siblings. Ripe, sweet black fruit aromas have not yet begun to reveal the estate's earthy side. The wine is medium-bodied, with nearly outstanding concentration, sweet tannin, and a moderately weighty mouthfeel. It will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and drink well for 15 years. This is probably the finest La Tour-Haut-Brion since the massive 1982. Last tasted 11/97
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1995 is cut from the same cloth as the 1994, although slightly riper, with a sweeter mid-palate, excellent color, no noticeable tannin, low acidity, and a pure, ripe, long finish. It will be drinkable young and will keep for 12+ years. The move at Haut-Brion to upgrade the quality of La Tour-Haut-Brion has been reflected in both of the 1994 and 1995 vintages. All of the wines in this segment were tasted between March 19 and March 28 in Bordeaux. Most of the important wines from both the 1994 and 1995 vintages were tasted three separate times during my ten-day stay in Bordeaux.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
One of the finest La Tour-Haut-Brions over the last 15 years, the 1995 offers a heady perfume of coffee beans, tobacco, spice, smoke, grilled herbs, and sweet red and black fruits. It is long and round, with copious quantities of red currants, as well as good underlying acid, which gives the wine definition, and a spicy, lush, sweet finish with light but noticeable tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2015.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Excellent deep color. Spicy, minerally, very fruity black raspberry nose. Then, slightly sharp on the palate, with plenty of tannins and a faint sourness. There does not appear to be enough ripeness and texture here to buffer the tannins and acids. Tastes a bit soupy next to the very strong '94.
About the Producer
La Tour Haut Brion was a separate château, under the same ownership as Châteaux Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion. Until 1983 Ch. la Tour Haut-Brion was the second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion, but after the take-over of La Mission and La Tour by the Domaine Clarence Dillon, La Tour gained its own identity. The last vintage of this wine in its own right was 2005, it has since been incorporated into the production of La Mission. The vineyards are planted with 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot, a similar mix to Haut Brion itself.
