Château Haut-Brion, Blanc, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 1982

Vault Wine: This wine is stored in our vault.

Overview of the Wine
Chateau Haut-Brion is the oldest and by far the smallest of the "Premiers Grands Crus" vineyards of the Gironde 1855 classification. Chateau Haut-Brion is one of the few remaining family-owned domains of the Bordeaux region with a history going back to the 16th century. It has been owned by the American Dillon family since 1935.Thanks to its long history as one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wines, the estate has left its mark on the region for centuries.

The prestigious Château Haut-Brion surprises by the number of first places it occupies in many situations. Created in 1553 by Jean de Pontac, Haut-Brion was the first wine of Bordeaux's history to have the same name as the domain. At that time, the wines were sold anonymously. First chateau to practice techniques which are now unavoidable, such as racking or aging in oak barrels. Therefore, it will be the only classified Grand Cru in the Graves appellation in 1855, and is number 1 of course! There is no small vintage at Haut-Brion, owned by the Dillon family since 1935. In 1983, the Dillon family bought La Mission Haut-Brion, Haut-Brion's neighbour. It is always exciting to compare the different vntages of the property. In great vintages, it is perfectly able to age for several decades. Some vintages, such as the 1961 or 1989, show the incredible potential of Château Haut Brion, one of the greatest red wines in the world. The second wine of the chateau, formerly called Bahans, is now called Clarence de Haut-Brion.

Grape / Blend
Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon

Origin
Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The harvests are manual, and the grapes are sorted several times throughout the process. Limited yields and a long maturation of 22 months in new oak barrels contribute to the production of this magnificent wine. Haut Brion develops velvety notes of ripe blackcurrant and has a mineral profile with legendary finesse. In its best vintages, it can be aged for several decades. Some of its vintages, such as the 1961 and the 1989, demonstrate how Château Haut Brion can figure among the best red wines in the world.

91 Points - Vinous
The 1982 Haut-Brion Blanc appears much more mature in colour compared to the Laville Haut-Brion served alongside. Quite complex aromatically: dried mango and mirabelle, a touch of lemon verbena and vervain. After 20 minutes there is a hint of pistachio. The Semillon component is firmly in the driving seat on the palate, quite tangy with impressive depth and, given the warmth of that year's summer, a fine thread of acidity. A little shorter than the Laville Haut-Brion, this seems fully mature and I would drink it in the near future. Tasted single blind at the 1982 dinner at Cornus in London. 

Product size: 750ml