Castle Haut Brion - Pessac-Léognan 2014

Vinous

94-97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

The 2014 Haut-Brion is one of the truly viscerally thrilling wines of the vintage. A host of smoke, graphite, licorice and black stone fruit notes hit the palate in a towering, majestic wine of the highest level. Opulent yet also massively tannic, with pulsating acidity in support, the 2014 is absolutely impeccable. Violets, lavender, smoke and savory herbs are some of the notes that add nuance as the wine builds to a rapturous, explosive finish. Readers fortunate enough to find the 2014 can look forward to several decades of pure drinking pleasure. The blend is 50% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

Deep ruby in color, sweet, fresh and concentrated with layers of lushly textured, sweet, red and black fruits, this wine is bolstered with smoke, tobacco and tar. Silky, smooth and concentrated with velvety tannins flowing with pure cassis, the freshness feels good on the palate and will only get better. The wine was made from a blend of 65.5% Merlot, 32.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 14.25% alcohol with a pH of 3.67. 94-96 Pts

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château Haut-Brion 2014 is a blend of 50% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 39% Cabernet Sauvignon picked between 11 September and 10 October cropped at 42.9 hectoliters per hectare raised in 70% new oak (Jean-Philippe Delmas has been lowering the new oak in recent vintages.) The fruit seems a little “redder” than La Mission at this stage with vibrant wild strawberry, blackcurrant and a pinch of dry tobacco, a hint of menthol developing with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, that tobacco element becoming a little stronger in the mouth, a little foursquare but like La Mission Haut-Brion, focusing upon precision rather than power. Of course, a superb contribution to the vintage, but I'd place my bets on the "Mish", at least on these barrel tastings.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/22/2015

54% of production. 50% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon. 
Mid to deep crimson. Not very forthcoming on the nose. Broad burly flavours on the palate, very much in the baked-brick spectrum. Well-managed tannins and in this wine the acidity is not especially marked. But it’s no charmer. Very dry on the end. 

Asian Palate

93-95 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

The structure of Haut-Brion this year is compact and tight with ripe, velvety tannins that are dominating the dark fruit and tobacco flavors in the background. Tasted alongside the La Mission, there is less flamboyancy and spice here but rather long term aging potential and greater intensity. Wait for the wine to open up in 8-plus years time.

Decanter.com

18,75 / 20

byJane Ansonthe4/17/2015

From a blend of 50% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a full and deep expression of the vintage. The fruit leads with damson and plum, with black pepper spicing, lovely smoked grilled notes, touches of bramble, with a beautiful tannic hold and life on the finish. Deft and elegant, clearly successful, rich complexity and deceptive in terms of ageing because the tannins are fine but there are plenty of them, gently building up in your mouth over the course of the tasting. Such confident handling of the vintage, as you would expect, relatively high alcohol for the year at 14.25%abv, but barely discernable. Drink: 2025-2045 (95+)

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

Dense and tight now with blackberries, blueberries, iodine, minerals and currants. Full-bodied, firm and closed, yet there’s a persistence and length that is most impressive. Polished and very classy.

timatkin.com

96 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

50 % Merlot, 39 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 11 % Cabernet Franc. Eine normale Ernte.Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Er beginnt reserviert, klassisch und zeigt sich von der ersten Sekunde an unglaublich tiefgründig. Der Cabernet ist floral, würzig und seine schwarze Frucht ist perfekt vinifiziert. Vielleicht würden gewisse Degustatoren das Defensive dieses Weinesbemängeln, gerade weil er aber in sich gekehrt ist, wird er in seiner richtigen Lebensphase dann aufblühen und ein beruhigender, grosser Pessac werden. Im Gaumen ist ernahezu mächtig, imposant und beeindruckend. Er bleibt auf der klassischen Seite und zeigt bis zum langen, aromatischen Schluss seine schon fast dramatischen Cabernetkonturen. 19/20 2028 – 2065

Wine Enthusiast

/ 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

96–98. Barrel Sample. The wine is serious, darkly structured and firm in character, packed with tannins that lend a very dry feel. Fragrant fruitiness and intense acidity shine through for a very fine wine, likely to age over several decades.

Wine Spectator

95-98 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/30/2015

Features a youthfully muscular edge, but remains elegant despite the heft, with a core of plum, red currant and raspberry fruit, guided by supple tannins and backed by subtle tobacco and spice hints. A light bay thread chimes in on the finish, whilea juniper detail adds a pleasant underpinning. Displays admirable concentration, but this will need time to soak up its élevage, as it is always one of the more backward wines of  he spring tastings.