April 26, 2024 - 1996 Haut Brion – if you think it was just Cabernet Sauvignon that thrived in the ’96 vintage, think again. This wine which is 50% Merlot, 39% Cab Sauv and 11% Cab Franc was simply outstanding with incredible depth and that classic smoky complexity that only Haut Brion can show. It was deep, dark and mysterious and still quite youthful but with time in the glass it showed it’s first-growth pedigree with fabulous balance and an effortless breed and class. A totally underrated vintage of Haut Brion from a top-notch bottle. 97+
April 19, 2024 - Still powerful. Strong graphite, cedar, tobacco to start. After a couple hours some more fruit showed through, but more body, grip, and concentration than the 1995 Latour we had alongside it. However, it was a bit one note at first, so maybe it needs a bit more time to show more balance.
March 30, 2024 - Wonderful depth, length and complexity. Great blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. Cedar notes, along with some spice and underbrush. Good structure, now integrated. Very long and complex. Drinking beautifully now, will endure another decade and more.
March 27, 2024 - Drank in London
Blew the 95 away. still in its prime
March 9, 2024 - parfait equilibre, complexe, grand bordeaux
February 3, 2024 - The first glass offered notes of dry leaves, leather, bacon, smoke and cola. Then fruit started to appear after 1h: dried strawberry and cherry. Little by little dark fruit is taking over with blackberry and cassis, and vanilla, crushed gravel and sage. The wine tastes younger and younger! Mouth follows the same evolution. A lot of umami there: soy sauce, game meat dominate at first but then leave space to potpourri, violet, dried fruit. Fresh acidity, plush texture. Long finish
December 7, 2023 - Holiday Dinner - Mostly Bordeaux (Taberna del Alabardero, Washington D.C.): Wine 2 - Strong VA, off bottle. My guess is Haut Brion, as the others don't taste like Haut Brion.
November 19, 2023 - drank with Martha
subtle flint leather dark fruits
after three hours it started to show
tennis fallaway enough to enjoy the fruit
November 5, 2023 - 96+ Decanted 3 hours, drank over next 2 hrs. . Relatively quiet nose, floral notes with dried flowers, black cherry and forest floor. Medium weight palate of tart cherry, minerality with a long, fine tannin finish.
September 25, 2023 - Pop n pour. Still quite young with powerful fruit and still gritty structure. A classic vintage that feels just short of peak drinking. Hold or give it a few hours in the decanter.