Chateau Haut Brion 2012

WEINWISSER: "62,5 % Merlot, 32,5 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 % Cabernet Franc. Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Erhabener Duft von Teer, dunklen Beeren, Lakritze, einem Hauch Korinthen, Brazil-Tabak. Im Gaumen unglaublich viel feiner als der Mission, hier ist es fraglos ein Premier Cru, ausgeglichene Adstringenz, nachhaltiges Finale. Ein Meisterstück in einem schwierigen Umfeld. Mit 44 hl/ha Ertrag deutlich unter dem Mission liegend. Ich habe am gleichen Tag mehr als hundert Weine aus der Appellation Pessac-Léognan verkostet. Da sah man deutlich das Gefälle im Sinne eines eingemeisselten Klassements. Und wenn beim Jahrgang 2012 das mögliche Klassement wirklich gilt, dann steht dieser wunderbare Haut-Brion halt ganz alleine da. Das hat er mit dieser perfekten Vinifikationsleistung auch verdient!"

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Haut-Brion leaps with vibrant blackcurrant cordial, preserved plums, tar, and licorice scents, followed by touches of graphite, dried roses, and cardamom plus a hint of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, firm, and very fine-grained, it has loads of savory and mineral layers leading to a long, decadently rich, fruity finish on this very pure and youthful wine. The blend is 65% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Tannic and built to age, the wine is not going to be fun to drink young. It will take at least a decade for the layers of fresh, ripe, smoky fruits and polished, lush, soft, elegant textures to begin opening and display their complexities."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This wine encompasses all the star qualities of white Bordeaux. Lemon and grapefruit tones are balanced by ripe yellow fruit and spicy toastiness. Everything is in harmony in this wine that is sure to age well. Drink from 2019."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 Haut-Brion has an open and generous bouquet with blackcurrant pastille, cassis and briary aromas the exude very pure Merlot. The palate is medium-bodied with a sumptuous opening that is rare in 2012: rounded and generous, caressing in the mouth with black plum and blackcurrant towards the finish, residues of truffle and white pepper lingering on the aftertaste that turn very savory after 15 minutes—bacon fat or Italian cured meats. There is a lot to love about this Haut-Brion although in this blind showing I scored it the same as La Mission Haut-Brion. Who will stick their neck out as the two wines mature? Tasted January 2016."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Amazing aromas of wet stones, earth, currants and berries. Subtle and complex. Full body and a beautiful core of ripe fruit on the palate and the finish. Round, light, chewy tannins. Needs at least four or five years to open. This is the most merlot ever in Haut-Brion. Rich too. One of the wines of the vintage. 65.5% merlot, 32.5% cabernet sauvignon and 25 cabernet franc. Better in 2020."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This combines power and refinement, with a singed alder frame around a dense core of red and black currant, plum and blackberry fruit. Notes of bay, black tea and tar line the finish. Has a lovely, fine-grained feel that lets the dark, hefty fruit drape beautifully. The tobacco element hangs in the background. Sneakily long. Best from 2018 through 2030. 9,008 cases made."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, feine Herzkirschen, ein Hauch von Nougat, angenehme Kräuterwürze, facettenreiche Nuancen, ein Hauch von Orangenzesten. Komplex, straff, reife rotbeerige Frucht, finessenreich strukturiert, salzig und lange, tragende Tannine, die noch einige Jahre brauchen werden, verfügt über beachtliches Potenzial."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Similar depth of colour to Le Clarence de Haut-Brion and a just a little purpler. More reticent nose. Denser on the palate than the Clarence but at the moment much less communicative. It's a bit of an impenetrable lump at the moment, though it has good persistence. Dry finish with some tobacco-leaf element."