Haut Brion 1988

Haut Brion 1988

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£480.00
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  • Robert Parker rating 92
  • Vinous rating 90
  • Jancis Robinson rating 16.5
Haut Brion 1988
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HED66307

75 cl

13.5%
£480.00
Taxes included.

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Grapes are thought to have been grown on the Haut-Brion estate in Pessac-Leognan since the Roman era while the first recorded mention of the property is in 1423. The wine has had a long & illustrious history & is famously mentioned by Samuel Pepys in his diary of 1663. Nowadays, Haut Brion is considered by many to be one of the finest wines in the world & was ranked in the First Growth category during the 1855 classfication of Bordeaux wines.
90 Vinous
The 1988 Haut Brion is another vintage that I have not seen for a number of years. It has a light, maybe slight smudged nose that is quite leafy in style, autumnal, hints of bay leaf and a light marine influence developing but never quite delivering the vigor of its sibling, the 1988 La Mission Haut-Brion. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannin on the entry, a fine thread of acidity, but I would argue this is too simple for a First Growth in a decent vintage like this, does not engage or charm like the 1985 or 1986. Of course, matter would be redressed by the legendary 1989 Haut-Brion. The 1988? It is more like a footnote to Jean-Bernard Delmas’s crowning glory that arrived 12 months later. Tasted at the château. Neal Martin1st May 2018
16.5 Jancis Robinson
Sweeter and more caramelised dark fruit on the nose than the Pichon Lalande 1988 tasted alongside. Hint of jam on nose. And then very tight. Almost rugged next to the lightweight Pichon, with a hint of pepperiness. Much more texture on the tannins. Power and still dark fruit and very slight burnt on the finish. Held up well and good with roast beef. (TC)

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Chateau Haut-Brion

Chateau Haut-Brion

Pessac Leognan's Only First Growth

Grapes are thought to have been grown on the Haut-Brion estate in Pessac-Léognan since the Roman era, while the first recorded mention of the property is in 1423. The wine has had a long, illustrious history and is famously mentioned by Samuel Pepys in his diary of 1663. Nowadays, Haut Brion is considered by many to be one of the finest wines in the world and was ranked in the First Growth category during the 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines.

Renowned for its first wine (40% of production), Haut Brion, the estate also produces a spectacular second wine from young vines, Le Clarence de Haut Brion, in addition to a white, Château Haut-Brion Blanc, the Clarendelle branded wines and a second white, La Clarté de Haut Brion (which also takes grapes from La Mission). Spanning 53 hectare, the estate is planted to 50 hectares red varieties and 3 hectares white. The reds produced are beautifully balanced and complex, often around 14% abv and made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, typically aged in 80% new oak. The Haut-Brion Blanc meanwhile is a Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend, produced in small quantities and aged in a mix of new and one-year oak.

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