Wine Advisor
La Tour Haut Brion 1999
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Smoky, herb-tinged, black currant flavors are presented in a medium-bodied, ripe, elegant, stylish format. The precocious 1999 La Tour-Haut-Brion will provide ideal drinking over the next 10-12 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
In March 2000 it appeared a little jammy and I scored it parsimoniously. But a real surprise in 2003 at the IMW horizontal where it almost outshone La Mission and Haut-Brion! A very subtle nose of sweet black cherry, minerals and vanilla. The palate has firm tannins, fine acidity and a lot of vigour. Robust and muscular with savoury fruits, dried blood and roasted meats. A stern wine but very classy. A return to the legendary wines of the 1970’s? Maybe. Tasted November 2003.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The dense ruby/purple-colored 1999 reveals notes of lead pencil, smoke, earth, and black fruits in its spicy, medium-bodied personality. With excellent purity in addition to fine overall balance and length, it should be delicious when released next year. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2015.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1999 has put on weight since I tasted it last year. It is a sexy, open-knit, deep ruby-colored effort, exhibiting a smoky nose of melted asphalt, truffles, cassis, and tobacco, enticing sweetness on the attack, low acidity, and a smoky, ripe rich finish. Along with the 2000, 1999 is one of the two finest La Tour-Haut Brions produced under the new owners, who acquired the estate in 1983. Drink this captivating, complex Graves over the next 10-15 years.
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.
