Chateau Haut-Brion Seminar

Binny's South Loop - Chicago, IL
Tasted Thursday, May 14, 2009 by beezer6 with 777 views

Introduction

Attended solo. Jean-Philippe Delmas as guest speaker.

Flight 1 (5 Notes)

  • 2006 Château Laville Haut-Brion Blanc 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Lovely bright golden color.
    Kiwi, lime peel on the nose. Clea, pure and very bright.
    Nice palate showing more green fruit and KIWI!!!
    Some enjoyable bitters on the end with a medium long finish.
    Excellent balance with enticing acidity on the back end.
    A fantastic way to start the Haut-Brion seminar.

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  • 2006 Château Haut-Brion Blanc 96 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Only 400 cases produced compared to 10,000 of the Grand Vin.
    Such a unique and incredible experience to be able to sample this gem.
    Binny's was selling it for $4450/6 pack!!
    Beautiful rich royal golden color. Extremely vibrant.
    Mind blowing aromas sailing out of the glass.
    Incredible nose of lemon zest, honey, menthol, yellow flowers and minerals.
    First time I've ever detected sugar cookies on the nose and palate as well. Very dominant. So unique.
    Endless palate with gobs of honey, vanilla, yellow flowers, slate, green pepper.
    Perfect balance showing a fat back end with excellent acidity.
    Rich and elegant. This will be the wine I refer to when falling in love with white Bordeaux.

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  • 2006 Château Bahans Haut-Brion 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Ruby color.
    Dried red cherry on the nose with potpourri, red rocks and overall rustic in style.
    Feminine and elegant with a smooth balanced finish. Tannins need time to integrate, but this is a solid effort.

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  • 2004 Château Bahans Haut-Brion 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Darker ruby than '06. Currant, rich blueberries showing a well structured wine with solid tannin backbone.
    Palate is firm and shows good balance for a difficult vintage.
    Will last for 15-20 years with ease.

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  • 2003 Château Bahans Haut-Brion 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Nice ripe red raspberries, red rose petals and cinnamon on the nose.
    Huge length with nice acidity on the back end of the palate.
    Showing excellent energy and grip now. A beautiful wine.
    Preferred over the '06 and '04.

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Flight 2 (6 Notes)

  • 2006 Château La Mission Haut-Brion 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Etheral menthol aromas with spicy red raspberries also onthe nose.
    Excellent representation of classic Old World 'terroir.'
    Layered aromas of soy, chocolate, and pencil lead. Lively deep red flowers.
    Palate is really really really young and super tight.
    Some red vegetables on the palate like roasted red peppers. Elegant structured Bordeaux style.
    Awesome acidity on the back end. Makes me want to take another sip...and another...

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  • 2004 Château La Mission Haut-Brion 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    A wonderfully produced wine.
    Rich red creamyness. Vibrant, jumping out of the glass.
    Toasty aromas over bright red cherries, and marmalade poured over gray slate.
    Palate is extensive showing layers of medium red fruit and gray rock. Lush silky finish. Excellent tannin integration.
    Excellent life and purity. Long balanced finish. Ready to drink now even...or hold for 10-15.

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  • 2003 Château La Mission Haut-Brion 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Nice Old World funkyness not present in the '04 or '06. Love it.
    Brighter fruit with more intensity than the other two as well.
    Chalk, red clay, baking spices like nutmeg, some nice herbaciousness and woody floor.
    Tons of layered brownish red stuff. Really intriguing and unique.
    Pristine balance in the finish. Awesome! I really enjoy '03 Bordeaux as a whole.

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  • 2006 Château Haut-Brion 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Dark ruby in the glass.
    Dark red berries, cherries, nutmeg, dusty hay and figs.
    Some cool roasted red peppers on the nose.
    Graphite on the back end also showing superb structure and backbone.
    Finish goes on and on. Still needs LOTS of time (obviously).
    Glorious.

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  • 2004 Château Haut-Brion 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Esquisite elegance packing a serious punch. Massive structure underneath the surface.
    Deep rich red fruit. Currants, tobacco laced plums and other dark dried berries.
    Classic first growth length displayed in the finish.
    Enjoyed more than the '03 but not as much as the '06.

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  • 2003 Château Haut-Brion 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    After La Mission '03 I was a little dissapointed in the Grand Vin...though I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
    Nice ripe dried red fruit. Elegant instyle. Lighter berries but very lush and more fruit forward than other vintages.
    Cherries with some dusty woodyness on the back end of the palate.
    Solid finish. Still needs a little cellaring. 5-7 years should do.

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Flight 3 (2 Notes)

Closing

This two hour tasting and seminar was an incredible experience I will never forget.

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