Chateau Haut Brion 2005

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The mineral-laced 2005 Haut Brion (56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc) is exquisite. With its elegance and finesse, it is not as powerful as La Mission, but the nobility and complexity of the aromatics, incredible fragrance (subtle smoke and blue, red, and black fruits) that persists in the glass, full-bodied mouthfeel (though very light and delicate on its feet), and incredible length characterize this great Haut-Brion. It is just starting to drink well, and should continue to do so for at least another three decades. It is a tour de force in winemaking, but only 9,000 cases were produced."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is a wine that makes you dream. The nose is packed with flowers, sweet tobacco, iodine, spices, raspberries, blackberries, and great freshness. The texture is perfection, pure silk and the fruit is wonderfully complex and subtle. Currants, fresh mushrooms, flowers, and stones fill the mouth and make way to a delightful finish. Please leave this alone until 2020."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes, sattes Granat mit lila Schimmer am Rand und violetten Reflexen in der Mitte. Erste Naseneindrücke mit pechschwarzen Beeren, noblem Havanna-Tabak, Teernoten, schwarze Trüffel, Gewürznelken, getrocknete Lorbeerblätter, Minze und frischer Thymian. Im Gaumen fest, stark adstringierend, aber mit reifen und doch geduldvollen Gerbstoffen ausgestattet, die gigantische Beerenaromatik jede Sekunde im schwarzbeerigen Bereich bleibend, minutenlanger Nachklang, für den nötigen Nachdruck sorgend. Noch nie hat WeinWisser einen Haut-Brion als Fassmuster probiert, der dem legendären 1961er so stark gleicht."

JEB DUNNUCK: "An absolutely perfect wine in every way, the 2005 Château Haut-Brion reveals a more vivid ruby/plum hue as well as a quintessential Haut-Brion bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, iron, and lead pencil, with just a hint of background violet and floral, earthy nuances. Rich, full-bodied and powerful, it stays tight and compact on the palate and has building, flawless tannins as well as nicely integrated acidity."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2005 Haut-Brion is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-brick in color, the nose explodes with heart-thumping floral and fragrant earth notes over a core of Morello cherries, black raspberries, and creme de cassis. It is medium to full-bodied, with super-firm, ripe tannins and a lively backbone lending a rock-solid structure to the bright, muscular fruit. The palate absolutely shimmers with stunning mineral and floral notes, finishing with epic length. Tantalizingly good now, expect even greater things with 5-10 more years of bottle age. It will cellar to 2070 and, most likely, well beyond. Bought by an American banker / financier Clarence Dillon in 1935, it remains in the family today, with Prince Robert of Luxembourg now managing the 125-acre estate on the edge of Bordeaux city, in the town of Pessac. The soils include some very deep gravels and a good amount of clay. Clonal variation adds to the complexity of the site, with over 500 different clones. Jean-Phillip Delmas is the third generation in his family to oversee winemaking at this estate. The style is often more elegant, minerally, and refined than its flamboyant sibling La Mission Haut-Brion. Indeed, Haut-Brion can appear austere in its youth."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is incredible on the nose, showing coffee cake, blackberry, floral, coffee bean and vanilla bean, with Chinese spices. A very complex, full-bodied red, with seamless, hyperpolished tannins that caress every millimeter of the palate. Lasts for minutes. So beautifully balanced, I'm left speechless. Is it even better than the 1989? Best after 2017. 9,080 cases made."

DECANTER: "The 2005 Haut-Brion was the last wine tasted of the weekend, yet it transcended the potential for palate fatigue to impress me immensely. I ranked this as the best wine in a powerful flight, and like the Lafite on the first day, I felt it was near perfection. The aromas ranged from ripe blackcurrant and plum to pepper, cedar, leather, and earth. Although it was youthful and still very primary, it was accessible and engaging at this early stage. It is a wine of massive concentration with a robust structure, boasting firm but fine-grained tannins, lots of extract, and a pleasant freshness that gave the finish extraordinary persistence. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Leather, smoke, tobacco, cigar box and an array of red and black fruits create the complex nose that pops with little effort. The wine is silky, smooth, ripe, concentrated and opulent, displaying a youthful, pure essence of fruit."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Very tight and coiled, the freshness of this wine acts as a counterweight to its intense, smoky, ripe fruit flavors. It is so balanced, yet still so young, this is a wine that needs at least 10 years to show its true richness and power."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Quite different to the other first growths, with exotic notes combined with dark and red fruit, along with distinctly earthy, meaty characters. Plenty of opulence here, with a spice-laden palate, fine acidity and a hint of iodine on the finish. Nicely mature and in good balance, this still has a long way to go."