Chateau Haut Brion 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is tight, yet so upright and proper, with a vertical line of fine tannin that runs true and deep. It’s medium- to full-bodied with an exquisite texture and a long, structured finish. 52.3% merlot, 38.6% cabernet sauvignon and 9.1% cabernet franc."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zarte Gewürznuancen, ein Hauch von Kräuterwürze, Bitumen, schwarze Beerenfrucht, zart nach Lakritze, facettenreiches Bukett mit zartem Edelholztouch. Komplex, stoffig und straff, Anklänge von feinen roten Herzkirschen, integrierte, tragende Tannine, frisch strukturiert, mineralisch-salzig, ein Langstreckenläufer."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2023 Haut-Brion exhibits a more Cabernet-inflected personality than the richer 2022, offering up a deep but youthfully reserved bouquet of dark wild berries, licorice, smoke and pencil lead mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, nicely integrated new oak and spices. Full-bodied, deep and velvety, it’s layered and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit structured around abundant but velvety tannins, concluding with a long, controlled finish. Somewhat reminiscent of the estate's successful 2006, it's a blend of 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.1% Cabernet Franc."