The 2014 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend, crafted by Haut Brion in the Pessac-Léognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France, is a red wine that has garnered significant acclaim from various wine reviewers. This wine, closed with a cork and containing 14.5% alcohol, is known for its robust structure and aging potential.
The Wine Enthusiast awarded it a near-perfect score of 97, noting its "seriously dense tannins" and "great structure." Reviewer Roger Voss emphasized the wine's ability to age, suggesting it will be best enjoyed starting in 2027. Similarly, James Suckling also rated it 97, praising its "beautifully perfumed" aromas of rose petals and violets, along with its "very silky tannins and bright acidity."
Wine Spectator gave the wine a high score of 96, commending its complex layers of “warm tar, singed juniper, plum reduction, and cassis notes” that meld seamlessly together. Reviewer JM highlighted its "superior refinement" and recommended drinking it between 2020 and 2035. Jeb Dunnuck also rated it 96, describing it as a "beauty that packs more flavor, intensity, and depth than just about every other wine in the vintage."
The blend for the 2014 Haut Brion consists of 50% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11% Cabernet Franc. According to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, which also rated it 96, the wine exudes "red fruit" flavors and has a "very fresh and taut" palate. Neal Martin noted its "real frisson" and the increasing complexity over time.
Vinous reviewer Neal Martin gave it a slightly lower score of 93, mentioning that the wine is now "entirely open" with "tertiary red fruit" and a "medicinal" style. Despite this, Martin acknowledged its fine craftsmanship.
Other reviewers echoed these sentiments. Decanter awarded it 95 points, highlighting its "full and deep expression of the vintage," while Jane Anson, who scored it 96, described it as a "masterclass in controlled exuberance." Lastly, The Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown gave it 94 points, describing it as "tightly knit and refreshing," with "fine-grained tannins" that texture its lively black fruit layers.
Overall, the 2014 Haut Brion is a highly acclaimed wine known for its complex flavor profile, excellent aging potential, and refined structure, making it a standout in the vintage.