Chateau Haut Brion 2020

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Chateau Haut-Brion is located in the left bank (west) appellation of Pessac-Leognan, which prior to 1987 was part of the larger Graves appellation. The estate dates back to the 16th century and was the first red Bordeaux to achieve name recognition outside of France. It was famously referred to in Pepys’ diary in 1663 as ‘Ho Bryan’, as well as in Charles II cellar books from 1660. Thomas Jefferson also praised the estate’s wines when he visited in 1787.

The estate was included as one of the four First Growths in the famous 1855 Classification of Bordeaux, the other 3 being Margaux, Lafite and Latour. It was the only estate outside the Medoc.

The estate had a series of owners through the 18th and 19th centuries, but in 1935 it was purchased by Clarence Dillon, and American banker, whose descendants still run the property. Currently at the helm is Prince Robert of Luxembourg (grandson) and his mother, the Duchess de Mouchy. Since 2004, Jean-Philippe Delmas has been the estate’s manger.

In 1983 the Dillon family purchased La Mission Haut-Brion, which lies across the road from Haut-Brion.

Haut-Brion’s vineyards lie within the outer suburbs of Bordeaux and its 50.5ha of red vines are made up of 40% cabernet sauvignon, 49% merlot and 11% cabernet franc. There is also a 2.9ha vineyard planted with 52% semillon and 48% sauvignon blanc, from which a dry white wine is made.

Jane Anson MW in her book The Complete Bordeaux notes: “somehow Haut-Brion has developed its richer , more powerful style without losing its elegant Graves typicity.”

Chateau Haut Brion 2020 Composition

The Chateau Haut-Brion 2020 is a blend of 42.8% merlot, 39.7% cabernet sauvignon, and 17.5% cabernet franc. It's 15% alcohol.

The wine was purchased en-primeur and since arrival has been stored in a temperature controlled cabinet.

Chateau Haut Brion 2020 Reviews

The reviews for the 2020 Chateau Haut Brion are outstanding, they include;

"I finished my trip through Bordeaux with the 2020 Château Haut-Brion, and it was certainly a fitting cap to the trip. Revealing a deep ruby/plum hue, the 2020 exhibits extraordinary aromatics of ripe black fruits, scorched earth, cold fireplace, and acacia flowers. An absolute blockbuster on the palate, this structured, full-bodied, massively concentrated Pessac builds incrementally, with ultra-fine tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a great, great finish. Richer and more concentrated than both the 2018 and 2019 (there are some similarities to 2010), this is a legend in the making. The blend is 42.8% Merlot, 39.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc, all of which will spend 15-18 months in 77% new French oak. Hide bottles for a decade, and it should evolve for 50-75 years."
100 points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, March 2023.

"The 2020 Haut-Brion is more aromatically demonstrative than La Mission Haut-Brion, bursting with aromas of blackberries and raspberries mingled with licorice, cigar wrapper, pencil shavings and nicely integrated new oak. Full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's rich and layered, with an enveloping core of fruit that's girdled by plenty of sweet, powdery tannin. Despite checking in at a similarly lofty alcoholic degree to the 2019, its more granular tannic profile tempers the vintage's sweetness of fruit and lends the wine a more classically proportioned, and more classically structured, profile. 2030 - 2065."
99 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate, April 2023.

"The 2020 Haut Brion is a blend of 42.8% Merlot, 39.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17.5% Cabernet Franc, with a pH of 3.78. Deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with profound blackcurrant cordial, baked plums, and boysenberry preserves notes, leading to an undercurrent of graphite, iron ore, black truffles, and wood smoke, plus a hint of cardamom. The full-bodied palate is tightly knit with black fruit and mineral layers, supported by a rock-solid backbone of grainy tannins and seamless acidity, finishing long and savory."
99 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, March 2023.

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