2011 Château Haut-Brion

Community Tasting Notes (18) Avg Score: 94 points

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  3/17/2024 - ove_stammrud wrote:

  Ren, klar og elegant frukt av solbær og rød plomme danner grunnlaget for denne vinen, med et hint av luksuriøs tobakk som en subtil undertone. Frukten oppleves naturlig og sensuell, og utfolder seg i et mangefasettert bilde av smaker. Et snev av pepper og en antydning av furugulv gir enda mer kompleksitet. Til tross for noe stramhet som følge av alderen, har den fine og velutviklede tanniner, med diskré kanter. En nobel vin med klassisk Bordeaux-eleganse og gentlemanstil. Med utvilsom førsteklasses kvalitet og en aldringspotensial på et par 10 år, vil denne vinen utvikle seg i retning av å bli blant toppvinene fra sin årgang.

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  1/23/2023 - mxfnck Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Started after a 1,5 hr decant and enjoyed it over the next two hours.
  
  The first glass was earthy and compressed, with notes of graphite, baking spices, blueberry, worn leather and eucalyptus. The tannins, as expected, were very tight and in fact obscured some of the underlying complexity. The vivacious acidity was there from the start and gave the wine a linear quality.
  
  During the second glass the wine had already opened up considerably, with all of the aromas mentioned above accompanied by laurel, bell pepper, ground pepper, smoked meat and a very pleasant overall transparency, due to the loosening up of the tannins.
  
  With the final glass we could all taste slight citrus and tropical notes on the finish that just added an amazing layer of complexity and lift.
  
  While full of character, very pleasant and quite unique, I have to deduct points for lack of drive/finish and general outspokenness. At a different price point, however, I would definitely like to buy a case.

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  12/14/2022 - Melpi578 wrote: 100 Points

  Dégusté chez DL décembre 2022

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  6/14/2022 - punter wrote: 90 Points

  Trademark albeit light Haut-Brion nose on open / decant, first sip showed tight, thin, and closed. Opened after 2 hours to a lovely, smooth, elegant yet very light bodied wine. Pity - the opportunity to underpin a delightful main course was waived in favor of decanting at table vs home well in advance. Still, a wonderful wine and experience. Buy? No - can't see this improving and far too many better H-B vintages.

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  11/10/2021 - Cailles wrote: 90 Points

  Bordeaux 2011 - 10 Years On - 30 Reds: All tasted blind, not decanted. A few observations: 1) As expected, it's a mediocre vintage with many wines lacking depth and mid palate weight of great vintages. My average score for the reds was 91.3 pts vs group scores at more recent horizontals for 2010 (93.0), 2000 (92.7) and 2009 (93.9). 2) I expected more green/unripe notes and drying tannins but that is not the case (hence the solid 91.3 average). Most wines showed well-made (with only 6 out of 30 reds rated below 90 pts). 3) Left bank (average 91.8 pts) clearly trumps right bank (90.6) thanks to more mid palate substance. 4) Virtually no wine showed a) over extracted and already dying and b) with far too much ripeness. Both 2009/2010 (and 2015/2018) have several wines with these problem. 5) Most wines are in a good drinking window. Although not yet with tertiary complexity, the structure has softened and the wines are open (even without extended decanting). 6) Unfortunately (due to price), the best reds were Le Pin (97+ pts), Margaux (96), Petrus (96) and Mouton (95). 7) Good vintage for Sauternes it seems (we tasted only two) with a surprising Giraud (96 pts) beating a too sweet Yquem (93).
  
  TN: Not much expression on the nose, slightly stinky and smokey. On the palate that slightly stink smell stays and taints the experience, but with more swirling it gained a little bit of balance and harmony. There definitely is substance, the structural frame is fine... but once again it shows, Haut Brion is not a wine to put in a blind tasting without proper preparation and decanting. That has never worked... 90 pts maximum.

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