The 2019 Haut Brion is a Bordeaux blend from the esteemed Pessac Leognan sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Haut Brion, features a varietal composition of 48.7% Merlot, 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8.1% Cabernet Franc, and is sealed with a traditional cork closure. The wine is notable for its 15% alcohol content, which, despite being relatively high, does not overpower its intricate balance.
Professional reviewers have lauded the 2019 Haut Brion for its complex and dynamic profile. William Kelley from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a score of 98, noting its "aromas of blackberries and plums mingled with notions of pencil shavings, burning embers and creamy new oak." Kelley emphasized the wine's "broad-shouldered and muscular" character, with "rich, powdery tannins" that are already well-integrated.
James Suckling gave the wine a perfect score of 100, describing it as "mind-blowing" with a "cashmere texture that unravels on the palate and continues on for minutes." He highlighted its "superbly complex, ethereal character" and advised cellaring it until at least 2029.
Neal Martin from Vinous also praised the wine highly, giving it 99 points and remarking on its "ethereal degree of transparency on the nose" and "fabulous precision and detail." Martin noted its "fine bone tannins" and "extraordinarily persistent and compelling closing."
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com also awarded it 100 points, calling it "one of the great vintages of Haut Brion." He described a "vibrant, rich, refined, powerful, concentrated, smoky profile" with "countless layers of roasted, smoked red and black fruits," and advised drinking it from 2032-2075.
Additional reviews from Decanter, Wine Spectator, and Wine Enthusiast also underscore the wine's potential for long-term aging, with Decanter calling it a "typical Haut-Brion with huge mass and ageing potential" and Wine Enthusiast emphasizing its "bold structure" balanced by "juicy acidity."
In summary, the 2019 Haut Brion is a standout vintage marked by its complexity, balance, and potential for aging. With numerous excellent reviews, including three perfect scores, it is a wine that promises to evolve beautifully over the coming decades.