Haut Brion 2008

Pessac-Leognan, First Growth

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy
24	75cl Bottle	Case 12	£3,550 per Case	Cases	[Add to shopping basket]

Tasting Notes
This is profound! 2008 Haut-Brion: The extraordinary 2008 Haut-Brion is a candidate for -wine of the vintage.- Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, it reveals more evolution and complexity in its large-scaled perfume. The dense purple color is followed by a sweet nose of creosote, asphalt, blueberries, black currants and jammy raspberries, sweet tannins, a savory, fleshy mouthfeel and a stunning finish. This incredibly pure, noble wine was produced from one of the estate-s smallest crops (only 7,000 cases produced versus the usual 12,000 cases). It should drink well for three decades or more. Score: 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2041 03 May 2011
Production for the 2008 Haut-Brion represents only 35% of the grapes harvested, and while production can be over 12,000 cases in an abundant vintage, 2008 will be one of their smallest ever, with only 7,000 cases produced from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc. The 2008 reminds me of a hypothetical blend of the 1996 and 1998. It is a classic, elegant, but substantial Haut-Brion with a dense ruby/purple color as well as crushed rock, spring flower, blueberry, and black currant characteristics presented in a vivid, vibrant, full-bodied style that cuts an ethereal feel across the palate. Haut-Brion is somewhat akin to Cheval Blanc in that it can be seemingly light on the palate, but very intense in flavor. That is the case with the 2008. There is plenty of tannin, but it is very ripe. This impressive, deep wine requires patience, and a ten year wait is mandatory. This formidable Haut-Brion should have a 40-50 year lifeline. Score: 95 - 97 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2009
This has racy acidity well-buried in the core of damson plum, cherry pit and red currant notes, all backed by fine-grained tannins and subtle sanguine and iron shadings. Tar and lilac hints chime in on the finish, where the appellation's typical tarry note shows some atypical polish. Impressive. Drink now through 2020. 7,000 cases made. Score: 92 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2011-2020 30 April 2011
Tasted at Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion. The Haut-Brion 2008 has a delightful, quite feminine nose with pure blackberry, briary, crushed stones, scents of crushed violet and fresh black olive. Superb definition. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins, more matiere than La Mission: very harmonious, fresh and vibrant. This is a ‘strict’, ‘classic’ Haut Brion with cedar, sous-bois and more graphite and bay leaf towards the finish that is very assured, lingering long in the mouth. The tannins will need several years to soften, yet this is a very appealing Haut-Brion destined to be unfairly over-shadowed by the 2009. Drink 2016-2040. Tasted October 2010. Score: 96 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2040 01 January 2011
A blend of 41% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc. The nose is very expressive, ripe redcurrants, wild strawberries, a touch of gravel and a little wild hedgerow and black plum. The bouquet appears to be more expressive than recent vintages. The palate is very well balanced and slightly grainy, very fresh, lots of energy on the finish with a minerally undertow. The focus is very impressive: one feels this is an Haut-Brion that will blossom after bottling, for unlike the nose, the palate feels as if it is holding something back. Firm tannins, traces of earth and bay leaf on the finish. Excellent - but patience is necessary. Score: 94 - 96 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2009
Much deeper colour than La Mission 2008. Really powerful dark purple colour. Minerals and lightness of touch on the nose. The most solid red from this stable but a little muted at this stage. Very firm, even slightly austere Cabernet tannins and pretty drying on the finish. Far from opulent. Needs, like La Mission, to put on a bit of flesh. Medium persistence. Impressive purity of fruit - the opposite of tarted up. 41% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc. Score: 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2034 10 May 2009
(50% cabernet sauvignon, 41% merlot and 9% cabernet franc) Deep ruby, darker than La Mission. The closed nose is classic Bordeaux, with ripe cassis and graphite aromas nicely lifted by violet and mineral, and showing an obvious presence of high-quality cabernet franc. Rich and opulent on the palate, with loads of ripe black fruits framed by bright but harmonious acids and extremely smooth tannins. With its very long, sweet finish, this is one of the best wines of the vintage. In 2008, Haut-Brion's larger vineyard area (43 hectares, vs. 21 for La Mission) gave it more to choose from for the grand vin than was possible at La Mission. According to estate manager Jean-Philippe Delmas, there were some particularly fine cabernets picked this year at Haut-Brion, such as the old vines from the Arcachon parcel, which are two-thirds cabernet sauvignon and one-third franc. Score: 92 - 95 Ian D'Agata, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2009
A very complex wine, with black licorice, sweet tobacco, blackberry and earth. Full-bodied and long, with big, juicy tannins and lots of bright fruit, mushroom, earth and decadent fruit flavors. The most powerful wine of the vintage. Only 35 percent of the total production (normally this is 50 percent or 55 percent). Shows the selection. Score: 93 - 96 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2009

Tasting Notes

This is profound! 2008 Haut-Brion: The extraordinary 2008 Haut-Brion is a candidate for -wine of the vintage.- Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, it reveals more evolution and complexity in its large-scaled perfume. The dense purple color is followed by a sweet nose of creosote, asphalt, blueberries, black currants and jammy raspberries, sweet tannins, a savory, fleshy mouthfeel and a stunning finish. This incredibly pure, noble wine was produced from one of the estate-s smallest crops (only 7,000 cases produced versus the usual 12,000 cases). It should drink well for three decades or more.

Score: 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2041 03 May 2011

Production for the 2008 Haut-Brion represents only 35% of the grapes harvested, and while production can be over 12,000 cases in an abundant vintage, 2008 will be one of their smallest ever, with only 7,000 cases produced from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc. The 2008 reminds me of a hypothetical blend of the 1996 and 1998. It is a classic, elegant, but substantial Haut-Brion with a dense ruby/purple color as well as crushed rock, spring flower, blueberry, and black currant characteristics presented in a vivid, vibrant, full-bodied style that cuts an ethereal feel across the palate. Haut-Brion is somewhat akin to Cheval Blanc in that it can be seemingly light on the palate, but very intense in flavor. That is the case with the 2008. There is plenty of tannin, but it is very ripe. This impressive, deep wine requires patience, and a ten year wait is mandatory. This formidable Haut-Brion should have a 40-50 year lifeline.

Score: 95 - 97

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2009

This has racy acidity well-buried in the core of damson plum, cherry pit and red currant notes, all backed by fine-grained tannins and subtle sanguine and iron shadings. Tar and lilac hints chime in on the finish, where the appellation's typical tarry note shows some atypical polish. Impressive. Drink now through 2020. 7,000 cases made.

Score: 92

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2011-2020 30 April 2011

Tasted at Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion. The Haut-Brion 2008 has a delightful, quite feminine nose with pure blackberry, briary, crushed stones, scents of crushed violet and fresh black olive. Superb definition. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins, more matiere than La Mission: very harmonious, fresh and vibrant. This is a ‘strict’, ‘classic’ Haut Brion with cedar, sous-bois and more graphite and bay leaf towards the finish that is very assured, lingering long in the mouth. The tannins will need several years to soften, yet this is a very appealing Haut-Brion destined to be unfairly over-shadowed by the 2009. Drink 2016-2040. Tasted October 2010.

Score: 96

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2040 01 January 2011

A blend of 41% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc. The nose is very expressive, ripe redcurrants, wild strawberries, a touch of gravel and a little wild hedgerow and black plum. The bouquet appears to be more expressive than recent vintages. The palate is very well balanced and slightly grainy, very fresh, lots of energy on the finish with a minerally undertow. The focus is very impressive: one feels this is an Haut-Brion that will blossom after bottling, for unlike the nose, the palate feels as if it is holding something back. Firm tannins, traces of earth and bay leaf on the finish. Excellent - but patience is necessary.

Score: 94 - 96

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2009

Much deeper colour than La Mission 2008. Really powerful dark purple colour. Minerals and lightness of touch on the nose. The most solid red from this stable but a little muted at this stage. Very firm, even slightly austere Cabernet tannins and pretty drying on the finish. Far from opulent. Needs, like La Mission, to put on a bit of flesh. Medium persistence. Impressive purity of fruit - the opposite of tarted up. 41% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc.

Score: 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2034 10 May 2009

(50% cabernet sauvignon, 41% merlot and 9% cabernet franc) Deep ruby, darker than La Mission. The closed nose is classic Bordeaux, with ripe cassis and graphite aromas nicely lifted by violet and mineral, and showing an obvious presence of high-quality cabernet franc. Rich and opulent on the palate, with loads of ripe black fruits framed by bright but harmonious acids and extremely smooth tannins. With its very long, sweet finish, this is one of the best wines of the vintage. In 2008, Haut-Brion's larger vineyard area (43 hectares, vs. 21 for La Mission) gave it more to choose from for the grand vin than was possible at La Mission. According to estate manager Jean-Philippe Delmas, there were some particularly fine cabernets picked this year at Haut-Brion, such as the old vines from the Arcachon parcel, which are two-thirds cabernet sauvignon and one-third franc.

Score: 92 - 95

Ian D'Agata, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2009

A very complex wine, with black licorice, sweet tobacco, blackberry and earth. Full-bodied and long, with big, juicy tannins and lots of bright fruit, mushroom, earth and decadent fruit flavors. The most powerful wine of the vintage. Only 35 percent of the total production (normally this is 50 percent or 55 percent). Shows the selection.

Score: 93 - 96

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2009

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