Château Haut Brion - Pessac-Léognan 1985 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe7/29/2016

Tasted blind at the 1985 Bordeaux horizontal, the 1985 Château Haut Brion is a lovely wine at the peak of its powers. It has an elegant bouquet with sandalwood and dried rose petals that combine effortlessly with vestiges of red berry fruit. I noticed how with time in the glass, it offers a "side order" of wild girolles! The palate is medium-bodied with a fine seam of acidity, delicate tertiary and leather tones infiltrating the red berry fruit, and while it does not have the audacity of the 1989 or 1990, the finesse on the finish completely wins you over. Simply drink, sit back and savor. Tasted July 2015.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/1/2003

A gloriously seductive, classic Haut-Brion showing the most savory side of this elegant, finesse-styled wine, the 1985 Haut-Brion has reached its plateau of full maturity. The color is a deep ruby/garnet with some lightening at the edge. A very complex nose of cedar, dried herbs, smoke, creosote, and black cherries, plums, and currants jumps from the glass. In the mouth, it is round, concentrated, medium to full-bodied, with a velvety texture and beautifully integrated alcohol, acidity, and tannin. A beauty! Anticipated maturity: Now-2012. Last tasted, 11/02.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe9/1/1998

This has always been one of the more seductive, savory, complex Haut-Brions of the eighties. My notes have always suggested that it is the quintessentially elegant, finesse-styled Haut-Brion. The color remains a deep ruby/purple with slight lightening at the edge. The knock-out nose of intense jammy black fruits, smoke, cedar, herbs, and new oak is followed by a generously concentrated, rich, gorgeously proportioned and layered Haut-Brion with no hard edges. Everything - alcohol, acidity, tannin - is beautifully integrated into the seamless personality of the 1985. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted 10/97

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byHarvey Steimanthe4/30/1997

Supple, harmonious, cascading with beautifully balanced fruit, spice and earthy tobacco notes. Not a powerhouse, but very fine and delicious to drink now. Should keep growing for five to 10 years.--Haut-Brion vertical.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/31/1993

The 1985 Haut-Brion, along with the flamboyant Mouton-Rothschild, is one of the two best first-growths of the vintage. The epitome of elegance and finesse, the 1985 is a deep ruby-colored wine, with a full intensity bouquet of jammy fruit, spices, and tobacco. It exhibits a soft, generous texture, super concentration, exquisite balance, and a long, impressive finish. While it does not have the power of the 1989 or 1986, it is a gorgeously elegant wine. Anticipated maturity: 1995-2010. Last tasted, 6/93.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe12/31/1992

Last Tasted 8/92 The 1985 is another example of how Haut-Brion appears to gain character in the bottle. From cask it was delicious, but hardly dazzling. After bottling, the wine's intense bouquet of sweet fruit, spices, minerals, and smoky, earthy scents has become more flamboyant. In addition to those compelling aromas, the wine now exhibits an even more generous richness, medium to full body, as well as elegance and finesse. This supple, delicious wine can be drunk now, but it promises to age for another 15 or more years. An extremely seductive Haut Brion, while it lacks the power of the 1986 and the sheer drama of the 1989, it may be the most classic expression of Haut Brion produced in the eighties.