2005 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend
Reviews of 2005 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend
Mike Supple, JJ Buckley
April 2006
56% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Dark black purple. So thick, light almost folds into it. Cool blueberry aromas. Not much else at first. Opens to light oak, chocolate and cherry. Smokey leather, tobacco, and tar on the palate. Heavy tannins pulling at my teeth. Dark blackberry and cassis flavors are muted somewhat by heavy new oak and green tannic overtones.
98 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
April 2008
Another profound effort from Haut-Brion, the 2005 (a 9,000-case blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc) has bulked up to the point that it is fair to compare it to the great successes of 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1998, and 2000. A dark ruby/purple color is followed by a nuanced, noble bouquet of blue and red fruits interwoven with wet stones, unsmoked cigar tobacco, scorched earth, and spring flowers. The wine is full-bodied, pure, and complex as well as exceptionally elegant with laser-like precision. The tannins are still serious and substantial, and in that sense, this is a completely different style of Haut-Brion than the opulent, silky-textured 1989 and 1990. As I have written before, it comes across as an improved, more concentrated and structured version of the 1995 or 1998. Patience will be required for this stunner. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040+
97 points, Stephen Tanzer
May 2008
Bright ruby-red. Wonderfully expressive nose combines black raspberry, mocha, hot stones, caramel and tobacco. Lush, fat and full but with terrific definition and suavity to its extravagantly dense black raspberry, stone and licorice flavors. As large-scaled as this is, it's not at all overly sweet. Expands impressively on the back half, finishing with substantial tannins that are thoroughly covered by fruit. A great vintage for Haut-Brion.
100 points, Wine Spectator
March 2008
This is incredible on the nose, showing coffee cake, blackberry, floral, coffee bean and vanilla bean, with Chinese spices. A very complex, full-bodied red, with seamless, hyperpolished tannins that caress every millimeter of the palate. Lasts for minutes. So beautifully balanced, I'm left speechless. Is it even better than the 1989? Best after 2017. 9,080 cases made. –JS
About 2005 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend
About the Winery Haut Brion
Chateau Haut-Brion boasts a much more historic tradition as it is
believed that grapes have been grown on the property since Roman times.
However, the first true written record of Haut-Brion dates back to 1525
when Jean de Pontac married Jeanne de Bellon who brought him the dowry
of the land that composes Haut-Brion. Chateau Haut-Brion also appeared
in writing as a First Growth in the Bordeaux Wine Official
Classification of 1855.
Haut-Brion has a truly illustrious
past. It is the first recorded First Growth to be imported into the
United States when Thomas Jefferson purchased six cases and took them
back to Monticello. Haut-Brion was also the first of the great growths
to use stainless steel fermentation vats. The greatness of Haut-Brion
wines was also recorded by Samuel Pepys, John Locke, and Cardinal
Richelieu. It's 1970s vintage placed fourth in the Judgement of Paris
wine competition. Haut-Brion remains quite the celebrity of the
winemaking world and its wines continue to be highly rated and coveted
across the globe.
About the Wine
"The 2000 Haut-Brion, a blend of 51% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc, possesses tremendous richness, and a highly-nuanced, complex personality with abundant quantities of black fruits, minerals, vanillin, and subtle earth. It is delicate yet thick, juicy and succulent. However, the 2000 seems to possess an obvious overlay of tannin as well as a degree of precision and freshness, largely attributed to slightly high acidity. A superlative effort. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035.
Really ripe, with a powerful berry and marmalade character on the nose. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish. Very fresh and fine. Almost classic.
VINEYARD COMPOSITION/VARIETAL PROFILE: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Average age of vines is 30 years. 109 acres producing 12,000-15,000 cases.
Fermented in stainless steel vats and aged in new oak barrels for 24-27 months. Clarified with six egg whites per barrel. The winemaking is managed by Jean Delmas, who believes in a controlled but rather hot, short fermentation.
A complex bouquet of ripe fruit, tobacco and mineral, earthy scents. Rich, ripe, medium too full-bodied and well structured. A wine that seems to balance power and elegance, richness and harmony perfectly."
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