Regarded as one of the world’s greatest wines for around 600 years, Haut-Brion was the only First Growth outside of the Médoc in the 1855 Classification. Grapes are thought to have been grown here since Roman times, and it can boast the first-ever professional wine review, by Samuel Pepys in 1663.
The elevated vineyard consists of deep gravels with a high clay and mineral content, planted in 45% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. They also produce one of the greatest and most expensive dry white wines in the world from 63% Semillion and 37% Sauvignon Blanc.
95 Points James Suckling
Wonderful aromas of dried flowers, currants, berries and mineral. Full-bodied, yet reserved and refined. Lovely texture, with a pure silk feel. Seamless and beautiful red. Great length. A joy to taste. Even better than from the barrel. Best after 2012.
95 Points Wine Advocate
An atypically high percentage of Merlot (61%) in addition to 19% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon make up the 2004 Haut-Brion. Fifty-five percent of the production was utilized for the grand vin, a surprisingly forward, charming, silky effort despite the relatively high tannin. In fact, it reminded me of the 1985 even though those vintage conditions have nothing in common with 2004 other than high yields. In any event, the 2004 is a beautiful effort that is far superior to the 2002. Soft, gentle, and gracious, with a deep plum/ruby/purple color, it offers up aromas of smoked herbs, sweet plums and black cherries, and hints of mulberries as well as earth. Medium-bodied, structured, pure, round, and seductive, with a long finish, there is more here than meets the eye and the palate.