“The best wine of the Vintage 2020” – James Suckling

Chateau Haut-Brion has belonged to the absolute top of Bordeaux for centuries. In the 17^th In the 18th century, Haut-Brion was the first to produce a wine made from a single vineyard. This wine was widely praised by prominent writers. This 2020 is no less acclaimed than that first wine. In fact, wine critic James Suckling calls it the best wine of the year 2020! With a score of 100/100 from James Suckling and 99-100/100 from Robert Parker, this is a true gem for the wine cellar. Powerful, full, and creamy with a plump luxury but also a refined elegance. A genuine charmer. Let the wine rest quietly for a few more years so that it can mature well, and the taste only improves. Ready to drink from 2028 and can be stored until 2070.

Tasting note Château Haut-Brion Pessac 1^th Grand Cru Classé 2020

In the glass, the wine is deep dark red with a bright purple rim. The nose is layered and enormously complex. Dark aromas of blueberries, ripe blackcurrants, plums, and luscious cherries. Dark chocolate and violets follow, after which a spicy, earthy feast begins. Minerals, forest leaves, and black truffle. Full-bodied, but not heavy. Fresh fruity core with a spicy and elegant finish. The aftertaste lingers for minutes. “Simply Stunning” – Robert Parker. Pair this wine with red meat, grilled dishes, or mature cheeses. Best enjoyed from about 8 years after the vintage and can be aged for at least 50 years.

Vinification

The 1^th Grand Cru Classé van Château Haut-Brion bestaat uit 43% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon en 17% Cabernet Franc. After the manual harvest and sorting of the grapes, fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks. Subsequently, the wine is transferred to barrels for aging. This phase is essential for developing complexity and integrating wood notes without overpowering the wine. The wine is regularly racked into other barrels, a process known as “à l’esquive,” during which the wine is clarified and purified while being gently exposed to oxygen. After 18 to 20 months of barrel aging, the best wines are selected and bottled. This marks the beginning of a slow aging process in the bottle, where the wine will further develop its character and come into full bloom before it is ready for us, the enthusiasts.

Château Haut-Brion

Château Haut-Brion, located in Pessac, a few kilometers southwest of Bordeaux, is het oudste en meest historische wijngoed in de Gironde-regio. In de 17e eeuw produceerde het wijngoed de allereerste Bordeaux van één wijngaard, die snel faam verwierf in Londense koffiehuizen, vol lof van vooraanstaande schrijvers. Clarence Dillon, een Amerikaanse bankier, kocht het Château in 1935 en deed aanzienlijke investeringen in de renovatie van de chai en de wijngaard. In 1960 introduceerde Haut-Brion als eerste premier cru roestvrijstalen tanks ter vervanging van houten vaten. Later, in 1983, verwierf de familie Dillon het naburige Château la Mission Haut-Brion.

The vineyard covers 51 hectares, of which more than 48 hectares are planted with red grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, and slightly less than 3 hectares are dedicated to white grape varieties such as Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Awards Château Haut-Brion:

James Suckling on the 2020 vintage – 100 points

Robert Parker on the 2020 vintage – 99-100 points