The 2020 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend from Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux, France, stands out in the world of fine wines. Produced by Haut Brion, this red wine is a blend of 42.8% Merlot, 39.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 17.5% Cabernet Franc, with an alcohol content of 15%.
This vintage has garnered high praise from numerous professional reviewers. Jeb Dunnuck, awarding it a perfect score of 100, describes it as "an absolute blockbuster," highlighting its "extraordinary aromatics of ripe black fruits, scorched earth, cold fireplace, and acacia flowers." He also notes its "structured, full-bodied, massively concentrated" profile, suggesting that it is "a legend in the making."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with a score of 99, finds the 2020 Haut Brion "more aromatically demonstrative than La Mission Haut-Brion," with "aromas of blackberries and raspberries mingled with licorice, cigar wrapper, pencil shavings, and nicely integrated new oak." William Kelley points out its "enveloping core of fruit" and "plenty of sweet, powdery tannin," making it "rich and layered."
James Suckling also praises the wine, giving it a score of 98 and noting its "aromas of blackberry, licorice, tile, stone, and mocha." He describes it as having "ultra-fine tannins that go on and on," with "sophisticated ripe fruit in the center palate" and a "very supple and savory" finish.
Jeff Leve, also awarding a score of 99, highlights its "concentrated, deep, creamy, supple, long, and intense" character, with notes of "flowers, spice, chocolate, black cherries, plums, porcini, tobacco leaf, and white pepper." He emphasizes its "serious depth of flavor" and "endless waves of black with dark red fruits."
Other reviewers like Vinous and Decanter provide slightly lower but still impressive scores of 96 and 97, respectively. Neal Martin of Vinous mentions its "lingering, very controlled, black pepper tinged finish," while Decanter praises its "concentrated and persistent" nature with "power, push, and generosity of ripe blackcurrants."
In summary, the 2020 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend is a highly acclaimed wine, noted for its rich, layered, and complex profile. It is recommended to be cellared for several years to fully appreciate its potential.