The oldest of Bordeaux’s five first growths and the only property outside the Medoc to be included in the 1855 Classification, Chateau Haut-Brion was founded by Jean de Pontac in 1533. The name derives from the Celtic word briga, meaning “hill” or “high place”, and refers to the gravelly elevated terrain situated between the Le Peuge and Le Serpent streams.

History shows that as early as 1660, Haut-Brion wines were already appreciated at royal tables as evidenced by the purchase of 169 bottles by King Charles II of England, noted in the royal cellar book. Among the wine’s admirers are the famous London diarist Samuel Pepys, and Thomas Jefferson, who had distinguished the wine’s quality long before the 1855 Classification.

Arnaud III de Pontac was responsible for building the estate’s international reputation and for creating a new style of wine that is the basis for all currently classified growths - an era which historians have described as a revolution in winemaking.

Chateau Haut-Brion was acquired by the American financier Clarence Dillon on May 13, 1935 and has been managed by the same family since. Much of the estate’s success is also credited to the Delmas family, who have worked the estate for three generations. Nearly five centuries after the creation of its vineyard and 350 years after the first published mention under its current name, Chateau Haut-Brion remains one of the finest wines in the world today.

Haut-Brion’s grand vin is the embodiment of five centuries of tradition and plays a pivotal role in the worldwide history of wine. It is the oldest of the Bordeaux classed growths, the inventor of a new style of wine fashioned in the seventeenth century, and considered the world’s first luxury brand.

Typically more Merlot dominant than other Left Bank wines, the terroir of Haut-Brion is expressed through its empyreumatic bouquet (Havana cigars, chocolate, roasting, cedar wood, and so on). The attack is restrained, with precise yet exceedingly soft tannins. But the power of this wine is revealed in the surprising long mid-palate and even longer finish.

The 2010 Haut Brion is a truly remarkable wine that embodies the essence of Bordeaux. This red wine, produced in the Pessac Leognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France, is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc. It was crafted by the renowned producer, Haut Brion, which is known for its commitment to excellence and tradition.

In the glass, the wine displays a deep garnet color that hints at its intensity and richness. On the nose, it is a symphony of aromas, with notes of black cherry, strawberry, and black tea. These elegant scents are complemented by a touch of blackberry coulis, loganberry, licorice snap, violet, tar, black tea, roasted alder, wood spice, and steeped black cherry fruit. The bouquet is complex and inviting, drawing you in with its layers of fragrance.

On the palate, the 2010 Haut Brion is nothing short of sensational. It is rich and refreshing, with a tamed ripeness that lingers on the tongue. The wine possesses a firm, finely grained texture and great freshness, which adds to its overall allure. It is a full-bodied wine with a stacked, deep structure that will take time to fully develop. This is a wine that can be enjoyed now, but it will also cellar well for 50+ years, allowing it to evolve and reveal even greater complexities.

The critics have unanimously praised the 2010 Haut Brion, with scores ranging from 97 to a perfect 100. Neal Martin's Wine Journal awarded it a perfect score, describing it as a stunning wine with superb precision and focus. Wine Spectator hailed it as a riveting display of brawny power and unbridled energy. Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com called it a wine for the ages, with an incredible sense of purity in the fruit.

In conclusion, the 2010 Haut Brion is a wine that lives up to its reputation as one of the finest Bordeaux blends. It is a wine of immense complexity, elegance, and power. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for decades to come, this wine is sure to captivate and delight any discerning wine enthusiast.