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Chateau Haut Brion 2020 En Primeur
Haut-Brion 2020 is a blend of 42.8% Merlot, 39.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17.5% Cabernet Franc, harvested September 7-29, with an estimated alcohol content of 15% and a pH of 3.8. Opaque purple-black in color, it leaps from the glass with an initial wave of vibrant hints of black raspberries, ripe blackberries and mulberries, followed by a powerful core of warm cassis, dark chocolate and violets, before exploding into a series of crushed stones, iron ore, tree bark and black truffle notes. The concentrated, dense, full-bodied palate is not heavy at all, offering a refreshing backbone of red berry and dried herb scents, framed by seamless acidity and very fine-grained tannins, finishing on an epically long and fragrant earth note. Simply sensational. Drink 2029-2064.
98-100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com.
Dark ruby, garnet in color, the wine exudes scents of cedar, cigar box, tobacco leaf, smoke, roasted cherries, herbs, spice box and underbrush. What's amazing here is the incredible level of density, as it's also light on its feet, perfectly balanced, poised and energetic. Texturally, this is surreal. Imagine velvet and glossy silk on your palate covering each berry. The fruit offers intensity, purity and length, with a finish that exceeds 60 seconds. The seamless finish might make the most jaded taster smile. Don't worry about alcohol levels as there is no heat. All of this is buried in the richness of the fruit. If you have the money, this is one of Haut Brion's great vintages that promises to evolve for at least 4-5 decades with ease. The wine combines 42.8% Merlot, 39.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17.5% Cabernet Franc, 15% vol. Harvest took place September 7-29.
98-100 points, Jeff Leve, wine cellar expert
Undoubtedly one of the top wines of this impressive vintage, the Château Haut-Brion 2020 comes in as 42.8% Merlot, 39.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc balance, which will spend 15-18 months in 77% new French oak . Its deep purple color is followed by an electrifying nose of black currants, black raspberries, toast, spice, scorched earth and graphite. Possessing an almost Lafite elegance on the palate, it nevertheless has tremendous dry extract, full-bodied richness, impeccable balance and lovely tannins. According to the data sheet, alcohol is estimated at 15% with a pH of 3.78, so it's not a shrinking purple, but it never shows a hint of intoxication or being overdone. I ended my note with, "Where can I buy some?" I suspect this wine will take a solid decade to reach the early stages of maturity and will be a 30, 40 or maybe 50 year old wine.
98-100 points, Jeb Dunnuck
This is a superb Haut-Brion with incredible tannins that are wonderfully fine-grained. It's really powerful. This is very primary with so much tannic structure generated by the grape. Very, very long, going on for minutes. Seductive and sympathetic at first and then carries you over the finish with so much structure. Wine of the vintage?
99-100 points, James Suckling
The 2020 Haut-Brion is shaping up to be one of the wines of the year. The substance, depth and intensity of texture elevate Haut-Brion into the realm of the sublime in 2020. All the elements are so wonderfully balanced. Dark fruits like ink, gravel, lavender, violets and dark spices build up as the 2020 gradually opens up with a bit of aeration. Wow. Drink 2035-2070.
97-99 Points, Antonio Galloni
