CHATEAU HAUT-BRION Rouge 1ere Grand Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 2006 Bottle

Description

Château Haut-Brion 2006 is an exceptional wine that exemplifies sophistication and depth, earning acclaim with 96 points from The Wine Advocate, Decanter, and Wine Enthusiast, as well as 95 points from Vinous. The bouquet is vibrant, featuring enticing aromas of blackberry, red plum, leather, and sage, making a strong impression. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with supple tannins and well-judged acidity, leading to a concentrated finish with earthy, truffle notes. Decanter highlights its balance of charcoal, grilled berries, and crisp minerality, while Wine Enthusiast notes its austere character and tight tannins. This elegant wine requires long-term aging and promises to evolve beautifully, making it a superb choice for collectors and enthusiasts through 2045.

*****

THE WINE ADVOCATE 96 points
Drink Date: 2018 - 2045
"Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Château Haut-Brion has a more ostentatious bouquet than the comparatively reserved La Mission: quite feisty blackberry, briary, kirsch and red plum scents, hints of leather and sage tucked just underneath. This is a bouquet determined to make an impression! The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well-judged acidity, a gentle build to a concentrated, earthy, truffle-tinged finish that lingers long in the mouth. This seems to have the upper-hand over the La Mission and probably has a longer future. A thoroughbred from Jean-Philippe Delmas and his team. Tasted January 2016." - Neal Martin, 30th May 2016.

DECANTER 96 points
Tasted by: Jane Anson
Part of The year that could have been great - Our expert selects the best 2006 Bordeaux wines
Drinking Window: 2018 - 2036
Less obvious than La Mission, this is more about charcoal, grilled berries and crisp minerality, with a near-perfect tightrope of freshness. Gripping and full of uplift, it starts slowly, builds in volume, but remains subtle and restrained. There’s no excess here; everything is in balance.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 96 points
A severe, austere wine that doesn't show its richness easily. The tannins are tight and firm and they dominate. Underneath is ripe fruit, the balance with tannins giving a foursquare, solid character. The wine is complex, spice playing with the fruit, some medicinal flavors and a definite stalky, tight structure. It obviously needs long-term aging. — Roger Voss

VINOUS 95 points
From: The Top Clarets of 2006 (May 2009)
Medium ruby-red. Inviting aromas of plum, warm stones, red licorice and menthol. Suave, gentle and elegantly styled; distinctly sweeter and lusher today than the La Mission, with even more mid-palate depth. Showing more red fruits today as well, with pungent minerality giving the wine lift and juiciness. Finishes with suave but substantial building tannins. Last year this wine was showing its spine while La Mission was more opulent; in bottle it's the other way around. - By Stephen Tanzer on May 2009

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5+ points
Mid to dark crimson. More discreet, fruitier nose than La Mission. Direct and thick – extremely dense with surely lots of extraction? – far from elegant! Masses of furry tannin still. For the moment it’s a mite ungainly. Not beautiful balance. It may well all settle into place but the sandy/furry tannins are a bit of a barrier to pleasure for the moment. Inky finish. (JR)