Haut Brion 2003

Pessac-Leognan, First Growth

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy
12	75cl Bottle	Case 12	£3,950 per Case	Case	[Add to shopping basket]

Tasting Notes
Even better, and clearly the best wine made in the Haut-Brion stable in 2003 (the last vintage of the great Jean-Bernard Delmas as administrator), the 2003 Haut-Brion is a blend of 58% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc that hit 13% natural alcohol, which seemed high at the time, but given more recent vintages is modest. Dark ruby/plum in color, with no amber or orange at the edge, the wine exhibits an abundance of roasted herbs, hot rocks, black currants, plum, and balsamic notes. Quite rich, medium to full-bodied and more complete, with sweeter tannins than La Mission Haut-Brion, this full-bodied Haut-Brion has hit full maturity, where it should stay for at least a decade. Bravo! These are two great successes in this vintage that have aged well and surprised me by their intensity and overall complexity. Score: 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2024 01 August 2014
The blockbuster 2003 Haut-Brion (13% alcohol) possesses extremely high tannin, but that component is well-concealed by a cascade of mulberry, blackberry, cherry, and plum-like fruit. There is even a hint of figs under the blue and red fruit spectrum. While broad and ripe with a sweet, glyceral mouthfeel as well as a long, powerful, persistent finish, it retains its elegance and nobility. A wine of both power and finesse, it will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring, and keep for 25-30. Score: 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2036 30 April 2006
This has a ravishing, decadent nose: rich summer pudding, raising, blackberry, scorched earth and leather. The palate is well balanced with just a touch of sur-maturite on the entry, undergrowth, sous-bois and tobacco towards the finish that is more like Lafite-Rothschild than Haut-Brion. Score: 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 March 2011
Very dark ruby. Light and racy and definitely more aerien than most. A little bit tart and green on the end. Hard work! Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2012-2020 13 October 2010
Deep ruby-red. The freshest on the nose of the 2003s at this address, offering slightly high-toned smoky raspberry, minerals and graphite and a suggestion of medicinal austerity. Offers great breadth and early charm, but also possesses very firm underlying structure. Finishes with big, ripe tannins and outstanding grip and length. Score: 94 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2006
Complex aromas of black licorice, tobacco and cedar with red fruits. Full-bodied, with superseductive, silky tannins, loads of fruit and a finish that lasts for minutes. A beauty in all the sense of the word. Best after 2012. 10,000 cases made. Score: 96 James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2012+ 31 March 2006

Tasting Notes

Even better, and clearly the best wine made in the Haut-Brion stable in 2003 (the last vintage of the great Jean-Bernard Delmas as administrator), the 2003 Haut-Brion is a blend of 58% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc that hit 13% natural alcohol, which seemed high at the time, but given more recent vintages is modest. Dark ruby/plum in color, with no amber or orange at the edge, the wine exhibits an abundance of roasted herbs, hot rocks, black currants, plum, and balsamic notes. Quite rich, medium to full-bodied and more complete, with sweeter tannins than La Mission Haut-Brion, this full-bodied Haut-Brion has hit full maturity, where it should stay for at least a decade. Bravo! These are two great successes in this vintage that have aged well and surprised me by their intensity and overall complexity.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2024 01 August 2014

The blockbuster 2003 Haut-Brion (13% alcohol) possesses extremely high tannin, but that component is well-concealed by a cascade of mulberry, blackberry, cherry, and plum-like fruit. There is even a hint of figs under the blue and red fruit spectrum. While broad and ripe with a sweet, glyceral mouthfeel as well as a long, powerful, persistent finish, it retains its elegance and nobility. A wine of both power and finesse, it will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring, and keep for 25-30.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2036 30 April 2006

This has a ravishing, decadent nose: rich summer pudding, raising, blackberry, scorched earth and leather. The palate is well balanced with just a touch of sur-maturite on the entry, undergrowth, sous-bois and tobacco towards the finish that is more like Lafite-Rothschild than Haut-Brion.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 March 2011

Very dark ruby. Light and racy and definitely more aerien than most. A little bit tart and green on the end. Hard work!

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2012-2020 13 October 2010

Deep ruby-red. The freshest on the nose of the 2003s at this address, offering slightly high-toned smoky raspberry, minerals and graphite and a suggestion of medicinal austerity. Offers great breadth and early charm, but also possesses very firm underlying structure. Finishes with big, ripe tannins and outstanding grip and length.

Score: 94

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2006

Complex aromas of black licorice, tobacco and cedar with red fruits. Full-bodied, with superseductive, silky tannins, loads of fruit and a finish that lasts for minutes. A beauty in all the sense of the word. Best after 2012. 10,000 cases made.

Score: 96

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2012+ 31 March 2006

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