5 Decades of Haut Brion, with James Handford MW

Handford Wines, London
Tasted Tuesday, November 4, 2014 by Papies with 552 views

Introduction

As part of the Handford Wines 25th anniversary Series, James presented one of his favourite wine wines the majestic Haut Brion.
Only wine missing in his view was one of his real favourites the 1988

Wines were decanted for 2 hours. The 1985 had a lot of sediment while the rest were easy to decant.

Hint: 1983 La Tour Haut Brion is the one to look out for.

Flight 1 - Flight 1 (3 Notes)

2000 Château Haut-Brion

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

Not as dark as we expected to be for the age. Fine, elegant nose, light pepper, floral at times maybe some orange blossom? Light cocoa. Young and firm on the palate, closed but not angular. Has the power but lacks charm and charisma at this stage. Has potential for sure whether it becomes the wine it is promised to be we shall see. needs 10-15yrs we think. We will not rate but if we had at the moment not more than a 92. Wait.

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1995 Château Haut-Brion 92 Points

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

To be honest this was the disappointment in tonight's line up for us. Granted we don't really like 95 but this had that dry, green edge that we sort of associate with the vintage. The nose is open and expressive, classic for sure but just on the palate it doesn't deliver and the tannins are a bit grippy. Dry finish. 92

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1990 Château Haut-Brion 98 Points

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

Quite a dark wine, from colour, to nose to the ripe core of fruit on the palate. Beautiful, open nose, rich fruit, complex, light cocoa. Good depth and structure. Still on the young side and less ready than the 1989 (Papies 98) but this is a very complete wine with lots of life ahead of it. Has a persistence that is admirable. 97-98 and lots of life ahead of it and another masterpiece from the 1990 vintage. Second only to the 1989 on the day for the group.

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Flight 2 - Flight 2 - Glorious 80s (3 Notes)

1989 Château Haut-Brion 98 Points

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

Believe the hype. This is a magnificent wine and was easily WOTN for the group. Like the 1990 (Papies 98) a very complete wine but this felt more ready and was in a way more balanced with the fruit, acid and tannin in near perfect harmony. Big wine but not overpowering, round yet very vibrant. Complex and very polished. An Amazing wine and feels just perfect now. We can go on and on here.. 98-99

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1985 Château Haut-Brion 95 Points

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

Second time we come across this wine and once again rated 95. Quite a round feel to it, elegant, balanced. Still rich fruit, just a touch of earthy notes, lacks the intensity of the 89&90 (Papies 98 for both) . Not a powerhouse eof a wine but an elegant, majestic wine full of charm. Just a touch flat in the mid palate. We would recommend one drinks these sooner than later but no real hurry. 94-95

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1983 Château Haut-Brion 95 Points

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

A lot better than when we tried it last 3yrs ago ( Papies rated 92) and definitely a beautiful wine. Earthy, forest floor, mushroom on the nose, well aged, graceful wine. just a touch of green at times to spoil the fun a bit but a minor point really. Still has a decent rich core of fruit, well aged wine, and this is for the lovers of classic, well aged claret. If you are one like us then you will find this a superb experience. 94-95. We would drink this sooner than later.

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Flight 3 - Flight 3 - The oldies (4 Notes)

Question well raised by one of the attendees - " At which point does the wine become a generic, good , but generic Bordeaux and not an Haut Brion?"

1978 Château Haut-Brion 92 Points

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

Brownish in colour, shows its age. Leather, spice on the nose. Quite a bit f fruit on the nose too, surprisingly. Visibly older and feels past its best and not an exiting wine any more. Not a bad wine in any way and makes for very nice drinking but its not longer an Haut-Brion. 92 and drink sooner than later.

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1975 Château Haut-Brion 92 Points

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

Brownish in colour with light red core. Well secondary on the nose, touch oxidised at times, cigar box, mocca?. Quite vibrant still with a lot more fruit than expected and this along the 1970 (Papies 93) would make for great experiences for lovers of classic well aged Bordeaux. Very nice wine. Drink now

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1970 Château Haut-Brion 93 Points

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

The best of the 70s tonight. Brownish with a red core. Open, expressive on the nose, tobacco, earthy but still with a healthy albeit light fruit core. Still very much alive and healthy wine ,Silky and needs to be enjoyed sooner than later. Very nice and a joy. 93

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1964 Château Haut-Brion

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

We are not really sure if this was a good bottle or characteristic of the wine. Was a bit too sweet and sharp and we will refrain from rating.

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