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Noncontractual photograph
Vintage | Wine 1971 |
Classification | Médoc - 1er Cru Classé |
Region | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Pessac Leognan |
Colour | Red |
Volume | 0.75 l |
Country | France |
Château | Château Haut Brion |
Country | France |
It was in 1855 that Château Haut Brion was honored with the highest distinction of Médoc wines: Premier Cru Classé (First Growth). Château Haut Brion is the only non-Médoc domain to be included in the Médoc wine list, as well as the Graves wine classification as a Classified Growth!
Its soil is similar to elsewhere as a brother of Latour. Without being the most concentrated, Haut Brion is the most noble of wines from Pessac-Leognan and its longevity is unparalleled in the industry. The silky tannins are always exceptional. Chateau Haut-Brion is the oldest and yet the smallest of vineyards classified as Premiers Grands Crus in 1855 (Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Haut-Brion)
Although the vineyard has been active in the region since at least Roman times, the first mention of vineyards of Haut-Brion dates back only to 1423. In the early days, the wines were known by the name of the parishes where they came from. In the case of Haut-Brion, under the leadership of Pontac, the wine first bore the name of this noble and respectable family. Haut Brion was founded in 1525 by Jean de Pontac and since famous people have succeeded. The last of them, Clarence Douglas Dillon, was Minister of Finance of the United States under the Kennedy administration. As its reputation grew, the name of the estate came to replace that of its owners. The concept of Grand Cru is born! We find the first mention in the diary of Samuel Pepys, who wrote April 10, 1663: "I just tasted a French wine called Ho-Bryan (sic) which has the best and most special taste I've ever enountered."
Among the many great vintages of Château Haut Brion, the exceptional vintages are 1926, 1945, 1953, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000.
Saint Emilion
Graves
CHÂTEAU MALARTIC LAGRAVIERE 1971
Pessac Leognan
Sauternes
Champagne
DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE CONTI 1971
Romanée Conti
DOMAINE HUET Clos du Bourg 1971
Vouvray
Pomerol
Pauillac
(09-2007)
(06-2015) The 1971 Château Haut-Brion has held its chin up high, despite never being one of the best vintages of the decade. Now at 44 years of age, it has a decent, ferrous nose, remnants of black fruit, but all a bit dusty and lacking cohesion—as if the stitches have become unsewn with time. The palate is medium-bodied with moderate depth. There is not so much weight here as you would expect given the growing season, light touches of hickory and sage littering the entry, tapering gently towards an austere finish. Drink this up soon, but don't overlook its charm. Tasted June 2015.
(01-1999) Good wine. Showing better and better.Sweet, 'elegant', distinctive, good length.