| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
The undisputed king of Bordeaux's dry white wines. It is produced in miniscule quantities: the 2.8 hectare vineyard rarely makes much more than 500 dozen bottles a year.
The 2023 blend is 58% Sauvignon Blanc, 42% Semillon.
The 2023 Haut-Brion Blanc was picked from August 21 until September 5. This is very detailed on the nose with orchard fruit, dewy meadow and light Mirabelle scents—very poised and focused. The palate is very well balanced with an irresistible texture, lightly spiced with impressive depth on the finish. It's the umami sensation that really lifts this superb Haut-Brion Blanc.
A bit shy, the 2023 Haut-Brion Blanc exhibits aromas of lemon, lemon oil, crisp stone fruits and spring flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, dense and fleshy palate that's round and layered, with chalky underlying structure and a long, mineral finish. It's a blend of 58% Sauvignon Blanc and 42% Sémillon.
Pale lemon-gold in colour, the nose here is unique and anticing, salty with notes of dill pickle, yellow apples, lemon balm and beeswax. A textural bomb, this is glossy and full bodied, with a waxy, dense core of orchard and even tropical fruits. There is a distinct non-fruit power, giving an underlying glossy, savoury complexity. A gourmand, textural wine.
The Haut Brion is open and very pretty, with sliced lemon, pear and white-peach character, as well as a hint of lemon grass. It’s full and layered with structure and focus. Crunchy finish. Fine phenolics and vibrant fruit for the vintage. 58.1% sauvignon blanc and 41.9% semillon.
A blend of 58.1% Sauvignon Blanc and 41.9% Semillon, the white 2023 Haut-Brion has a pH of 3.2. It is incredibly closed to start, needing a lot of shaking to bring out fragrant notes of fresh pears, lime leaves, coriander seed, and crushed stones, soon opening out to fragrant scents of lemongrass and honeysuckle, with a touch of baking bread. The medium-bodied palate vibrates with energetic citrus flavors, with a satiny/chalky texture and a racy backbone, finishing with amazing length and depth.
On the reductive style, with gunsmoke and flint, reserved but evident flesh to the fruit, captures the contrasting freshness and intensity of a great white wine, and delivers a feeling of being raised up through the palate. Exceptional quality, 3.2ph. 40% new oak.
The 2023 Haut-Brion Blanc is a quiet, restrained white. Pear, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks are all beautifully sketched, its mineral character emerging with time. The 2023 is not an obvious wine, initially quite aromatic but less expressive on the palate. The long, sustained finish takes things to another level. Complex and dynamic, the 2023 grows over time, hinting at an exceptionally brilliant future. 2028 - 2043
58.1% Sauvignon Blanc, 41.9% Sémillon. Cask sample.
Translucent hue. Aromatically dominated by the Sauvignon – citrus notes with a grassy edge. Bit more weight to the mid palate than La Mission. Round and svelte and textured with a stony freshness on the finish. (JL) 13.8%
Drink 2026 – 2032
