Chateau Haut Brion 2018

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2018 Haut-Brion is composed of 49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11.9% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, the wine needs a lot of swirling before it begins to release a whole complex melody of notes, one at a time to begin: tilled earth, followed by pronounced licorice, then crushed rocks, then the preserved plums. Eventually, it all comes together into a fascinating crescendo of intense crème de cassis, rose oil, wild blueberries and kirsch notes, giving way to quiet, persistent leitmotif scents of cinnamon stick, truffles and redcurrant jelly. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers all this and more, revealing tightly wound black fruit, red berry and exotic spice layers within a solid, wonderfully plush frame and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and loads of earth and mineral sparks. This is a profound, highly intellectual, multilayered baby, which will require a good 7-8 years to begin to sing its incredible song, then should cellar a further 40 years at least. By way of reference, think 1989 with more restraint and even greater purity."

WEINWISSER: "Purpur mit aufhellendem rubinrotem Rand. Ein ungeheuer komplexes Elixier, mit gerösteten Himbeerkernen, frisch gepflückten Alpenheidelbeeren und berauschender Cassiswürze. Im zweiten Ansatz dunkle Schokotrüffel, verführerisches Veilchenparfüm und tiefschürfendes Graphit. Am königlichen Gaumen mit einer cremig–seidigen Souplesse, plötzlicher Vorwärtsdrang mit einem perfekt stützenden Tanningerüst, magische Rasse und herrlicher Extraktfülle, die den Astralkörper umgarnen. Im nicht enden wollenden Finale mit anmutiger Grandezza aus dunkler Mineralik, schwarzbeeriger Frucht und kakaoartigem Extrakt. Für diese Spitzenleistung hat er bereits während den Primeurs die Bestnote erhalten und bekommt sie heute zurecht erneut verliehen!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Opulent, powerful, full-bodied, dense and intense, this incredibly rich wine offers mouth-coating layers of ripe, lush, smoke and tobacco infused dark red and black fruits. What makes this wine great is that with all its power, you also find balance, elegance, harmony and layers of complexity. The expansive finish, with its ripe fruits, tobacco leaf, smoke, barbecue and oceanic minerality holds you captive for over 60 seconds! This will age for at least 3-4 decades with ease. The wine blends 56% Merlot, 37.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 14.6 ABV."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of currants, leaves, fresh mushrooms, oyster shell, tobacco, and dried flowers, following through to a full body, yet ever so refined and polished and it grows on the palate. Lovely, energetic finish. Subtle and driven at the end of the palate. Drink in 2026 and onwards."

DECANTER: "This is powerfully built. Less welcoming than La Mission at this stage but it feels like it is going to pull away increasingly as the decades pass. A serious wine, with layers upon layers of bilberry, blueberry, charcoal, fig, sage and rosemary that peel back over a good half an hour of being poured. Harvested 6 September to 2 October, yielding 44hl/ha. 3.8pH."

JEB DUNNUCK: "A quintessential expression of this terroir, the 2018 Château Haut-Brion checks in as 49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. Ripe and sexy, yet also offering subtle aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, smoked earth, tobacco leaf, truffle, lead pencil, and minerals, it takes its time opening up but reveals a full-bodied, concentrated, multi-layered style carrying gorgeous tannins, flawless balance, and just a wonderful symmetry and elegance paired with beautiful richness. This noble, gorgeous Haut-Brion will benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age and cruise for 40 years or so."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand. Etwas zurückhaltend, feines dunkles Waldbeerkonfit, dezente Kräuterwürze, Nuancen von Kirschen, etwas Nougat, dezenter Edelholztouch unterlegt. Straff, engmaschig, würzige Tannine, feine süße Kirschfrucht, präsente Tannine, die noch etwas spröde wirken, sehr lebendiger Stil, salzige Mineralität im Abgang, Nougat im Rückgeschmack."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Waves of cassis, cherry puree and blackberry paste roll through in this showstopper, with notes of tea, sandalwood, iron and anise providing an entourage for the fruit. A subtle warm earth accent underscores the finish without intruding on the texture. A large-scaled yet eminently refined wine. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2045."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This wine has an immense structure that's powered by tannins, yet backed by a dry core and bright acidity. The black currant flavor is very fine and concentrated while also having a juicy freshness that marks the vintage. It has all the structure that should be expected from this estate."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Paler than most of its peers. Sweet, neat start with some fresh minerality. And some pretty dry tannins on the end."