Chateau Haut Brion 2006
Château Haut-Brion is the oldest and by far the smallest of the "Premiers Grands Crus" vine- yards of the Gironde 1855 classification. Château Haut-Brion is one of the few remaining family- owned domains of the Bordeaux region with a history going back to the 16th century. It has been owned by the American Dillon family since 1935. Château Haut-Brion's history dates back to when the first vines appeared on the gravel hillsides in 1521. Considered the first luxury wine brand in the world, Haut-Brion obtained the rare distinction of Premier Grand Cru Classé (Classified First Growth) in the 1855 classification, the only wine not in the Médoc to receive this prestigious title.
Elegant and complex, Château Haut-Brion red presents mineral aromas and a unique complexity. Its strength lays in the finish, which is surprisingly long. This aromatic persistence is due to its very noble origins.
Clarence Dillon purchased the estate in 1935, and maintained it's status in the elite circle of the most legendary wines in the world. Now the fourth generation of the family, represented by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Chairman and CEO since 2008 continues the tradition with state-of-the-art modernization to what is the oldest winegrowing property in the region of Pessac-Leognan. The first vines appeared on the gravel hillsides of Haut-Brion in the first century AD. In 1521, Château Haut-Brion became the first Bordeaux vineyard to be named after its terroir, instead of the owner or the parish, making the estate the first luxury wine brand in the world. This led Haut-Brion to earn the rare distinction of Premier Grand Cru Classé (Classified First Growth) in the 1855 classification, the only cru outside the Médoc to receive this prestigious title.
Elegance would be the word that best describes this wine. Its colour is a very deep red. The nose, at first reserved, opens up softly and slowly. Notes of minerals are followed by red berries, then an earthy whiff dominated by an aroma of fresh ground coffee beans. Before you know it the wine charms you with all of its incredible complexity. The mouth is silky. The treatment of this vintage’s special tannins renders them astonishingly suave. Their freshness carries them along eventually towards an unending length on the palate. One will without a doubt need great patience to await the future when one can truly profit from the potential of this great vintage of Château Haut-Brion.
The 2006 Haut Brion is a classic, elegant version of this cuvee, and while approachable, it is still young and relatively unevolved. Textbook Graves notes of smoky tobacco, cigar, leafy herbs, lots of earthy minerality, and a deep core of black fruits all emerge from this beauty. With medium to full-bodied richness and impressive mid-palate depth, it has fine, present tannin, impeccable balance, and a great finish. Drink this classic Haut Brion anytime over the coming two decades. - Jeb Dunnuck, 95 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Merlot 57%, Cabernet Sauvignon 41%, Cabernet Franc 2%
Country - France
Region - Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux
Vintage - 2006
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%