2012 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend

Bordeaux Blend - 750ML
Reg: $675.00
$525.00
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ETA: Mar. 2025
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REVIEWS

JA 98 JL 97 TWI 97 DC 96 JS 96 WA 96 WE 96 VN 95 WS 95
JA 98

janeanson.com, March 2022

Whiff of gunsmoke reduction, opening up to show concentrated dark berry fruit with liqourice, pencil lead, campfire and black truffle. Stately and muscular, a brilliant counterpoint to the grace of La Mission Haut-Brion...
JL 97

TheWineCellarInsider.com, July 2022

A clear candidate for the wine of the vintage, there is a richness and depth of flavor not found in most wines from this difficult vintage. Full-bodied, with layers of dark, smoky, spiced, tobacco-stained red fruits...
TWI 97

The Wine Independent, February 2023

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Haut-Brion leaps with vibrant blackcurrant cordial, preserved plums, tar, and licorice scents, followed by touches of graphite, dried roses, and cardamom plus a hint of crushed...
DC 96

Decanter, March 2022

This is a gorgeous, voluptuous wine, sweet as a nut all the way through. Red fruits on the nose with hints of liquorice and coffee. The high proportion of Merlot (65.5%) brings extra richness.
JS 96

jamessuckling.com, February 2015

Amazing aromas of wet stones, earth, currants and berries. Subtle and complex. Full body and a beautiful core of ripe fruit on the palate and the finish. Round, light, chewy tannins. Needs at least four or five years to...
WA 96

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2016

96+ Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 Haut-Brion has an open and generous bouquet with blackcurrant pastille, cassis and briary aromas the exude very pure Merlot. The palate is medium-bodied with a...
WE 96

Wine Enthusiast, May 2015

Firm and solid, this is one of the successes of 2012. It’s properly dark and tough at this stage, with that serious intent that’s a hallmark of Haut-Brion. Layers of firm tannins are interspersed with blackberry fruits...
VN 95

Vinous, January 2023

The 2012 Haut-Brion is beginning to flex its muscles. The bouquet is perhaps one of the most backward of the five First Growths, the Merlot firmly in the driving seat. Blackcurrant mixes with pitted black olives and...
WS 95

Wine Spectator, January 2015

This combines power and refinement, with a singed alder frame around a dense core of red and black currant, plum and blackberry fruit. Notes of bay, black tea and tar line the finish. Has a lovely, fine-grained feel...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Pessac Leognan
Vintage 2012
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 15%
Closure Cork

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.

This 2012 Haut Brion is a remarkable Bordeaux Blend from the prestigious region of Pessac Leognan in Bordeaux, France. With a stunning red color, this wine exudes elegance and sophistication. Its label is a testament to its quality and craftsmanship, with a classic design that highlights the wine's pedigree.

The nose of this wine is captivating, offering a complex array of aromas that evolve with each swirl of the glass. Notes of red and black currant, plum, and blackberry fruit dominate, intertwined with hints of bay, black tea, and tar. A singed alder frame adds a touch of earthiness, enhancing the wine's depth and character. As the wine opens up, additional layers of orange blossom, liquorice, and subtle smokiness emerge, adding further complexity to the bouquet.

On the palate, the 2012 Haut Brion displays a fine-grained texture that beautifully drapes the dark, hefty fruit. The tannins are well-integrated, providing structure and balance. This wine has a lovely weight and concentration, with a solid core of blackberry fruits and juicy acidity. The wood aging is still evident, adding a touch of spice and depth to the wine. It is firm and solid, showcasing the serious intent that is a hallmark of Haut-Brion.

The critics have unanimously praised this wine, with Wine Spectator awarding it an impressive score of 95 points. They describe it as a wine that combines power and refinement, with a beautifully long finish. James Suckling also commends its amazing aromas and ripe fruit on the palate, highlighting its rich and round character. Wine Enthusiast rates it at 96 points, noting its density and concentration, while Neal Martin's Wine Journal gives it an outstanding score of 97 points, praising its depth and structure.

This 2012 Haut Brion is a wine of exceptional quality that will continue to evolve and impress with age. It is recommended to cellar this wine for several years to allow its layers to fully unfold. However, if you can't resist the temptation, decanting it for a few hours will help to soften its tannins and reveal its true potential. Pair it with roasted meats, game, or strong cheeses to truly appreciate its complexity and depth.