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.

The 2023 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend is a standout wine from the renowned Haut Brion estate in Bordeaux, France. This red wine, composed of 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9.1% Cabernet Franc, has garnered exceptional praise from multiple professional reviewers.

James Suckling awarded this wine 99 points, noting its "vertical line of fine tannin that runs true and deep" and describing it as "medium- to full-bodied with an exquisite texture and a long, structured finish" (jamessuckling.com, 4/22/2024). Suckling's high score reflects the wine's sophisticated structure and balance.

Similarly, Jane Anson gave the 2023 Haut Brion a perfect score of 100, highlighting its "elegant balance," "classically structured layers," and "juicy and controlled" nature (janeanson.com, 4/18/2024). She describes the wine as "rippling with sinewy muscles" and packed with flavors like cocoa bean and espresso, all seamlessly integrated.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 97 points, emphasizing its "deep but youthfully reserved bouquet of dark wild berries, licorice, smoke and pencil lead" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 4/26/2024). The review mentions the wine's full-bodied, deep, and velvety texture, reminiscent of the estate's successful 2006 vintage.

Neal Martin from Vinous gave the wine 98 points, praising its "superb energy" and "crescendo of flavors" (Vinous, 4/29/2024). He noted the wine's complex and persistent finish, which promises to offer 30 to 40 years of drinking pleasure.

Decanter also awarded the wine 98 points, calling it "charming," "bright," and "voluptuous" (Decanter, 4/11/2024). The review highlights its dark fruit notes and a "buzz of acidity," making it a standout wine for the vintage.

Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider gave it a score of 99, appreciating its "powerful, yet reserved" nature and the "richness, elegance, and purity" of the fruit (TheWineCellarInsider.com, 5/4/2024). He notes the wine's impressive lift on the palate and its long-lasting finish.

Jeb Dunnuck awarded the wine 98 points, focusing on its "riveting purity" and "rich and full-bodied" character (jebdunnuck.com, 5/8/2024). He recommends giving the wine at least a decade of bottle age.

Lastly, The Wine Independent also awarded the wine a perfect score of 100, describing it as "quite closed to begin" but revealing "black and blue fruit layers" with "jaw-dropping energy" (The Wine Independent, 5/7/2024). The review mentions its "firm backbone and plush tannins" and concludes with a "breathtaking firework display."

Overall, the 2023 Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its structure, balance, and complexity, making it a must-try for wine enthusiasts.