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 2009 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend is an exceptional wine that has garnered praise from multiple esteemed critics. With a deep garnet hue, this wine showcases a complex bouquet of aromas including blackberries, plum preserves, and mulberries, complemented by notes of star anise, mocha, and damp soil, as described by Lisa Perrotti-Brown from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. She awarded it a perfect score of 100, highlighting its "full-bodied, taut and tightly wound" nature, suggesting it "needs time" to fully develop.

James Suckling also bestowed a perfect score, praising its "extravagant and exotic" profile, with a super-concentrated elegance and a "super-long, perfectly balanced finish." He notes its aging potential, advising it can be enjoyed now or held for future delight.

Alex Shaw from JJ Buckley gave it a near-perfect 97, emphasizing the wine's "elegance incarnate," with floral aromas, a hint of pencil shavings, and a mouth-filling, velvety texture. The tannins, while prominent, are well integrated, offering a "long creamy finish."

Wine Spectator's JM awarded it 98 points, describing it as "enormous" and "backward" at this early stage, with a gripping structure holding the rich core of fruit in check. The finish, described as a "torrent of dense" flavors, signals a wine that will continue to evolve for decades.

Jeff Leve rated it 99, noting its "opulent, yet elegant" nature with "multiple layers of silk-drenched berries." He suggests it will benefit from further aging, with a drinking window extending well into the mid-21st century.

Jane Anson's review, also near-perfect at 98, describes the wine as "stunning," with fresh mint and creamy black fruits, indicating it is beginning to open up but will continue to deliver for decades.

Overall, this 2009 Haut Brion is a highly acclaimed wine that promises to evolve beautifully over time.