Chateau Haut Brion - Pessac-Leognan 2010 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

98 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe8/31/2013

Good full ruby-red.  Complex, expressive, very showy aromas and flavors of cassis, menthol, smoke and tobacco complemented by violet, milk chocolate and sweet spices.  Fat, sweet and concentrated in the mouth, with an almost liqueur-like ripeness to its highly concentrated, palate-saturating flavors.  Finishes ripe and savory, with huge but plush tannins and lingering notes of blueberry and minerals. 98 (+?) points

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

98 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe7/1/2013

Good full ruby-red.  Complex, expressive, very showy aromas and flavors of cassis, menthol, smoke and tobacco complemented by violet, milk chocolate and sweet spices.  Fat, sweet and concentrated in the mouth, with an almost liqueur-like ripeness to its highly concentrated, palate-saturating flavors.  Finishes ripe and savory, with huge but plush tannins and lingering notes of blueberry and minerals.  (ID)

Wine Spectator

99 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

Sappy, tongue-coating pastis, blackberry coulis and loganberry fruit starts this huge wine off, followed by a parade of licorice snap, violet, tar, black tea, roasted alder, wood spice and steeped black cherry fruit notes. A beam of pure cassis drives through this version, and the finish pulls everything together with a mouthwatering brambly edge that should soften slowly over time. A riveting display of brawny power, unbridled energy and high-level terroir. Best from 2020 through 2040.—J.M.

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

As for the 2010 Haut-Brion, it does not have the power of Latour’s 2010 or the intense lead pencil shavings and chocolaty component of Lafite-Rothschild, but it is extraordinary, perfect wine. It has a slightly lower pH than the 2009 (3.7 versus the 2009's 3.8), and even higher alcohol than the 2009 (14.6%). The wine is ethereal. From its dense purple color to its incredibly subtle but striking aromatics that build incrementally, offering up a spectacular smorgasbord of aromas ranging from charcoal and camphor to black currant and blueberry liqueur and spring flowers, this wine’s finesse, elegant yet noble power and authority come through in a compelling fashion. It is full-bodied, but that’s only apparent in the aftertaste, as the wine seems to float across the palate with remarkable sweetness, harmony, and the integration of all its component parts – alcohol, tannin, acidity, wood, etc. This prodigious Haut-Brion is hard to compare to another vintage, at least right now, but it should have 50 to 75 years of aging potential. Anticipated maturity: 2022-2065+.Kudos to the team at Haut-Brion and to the proprietors, the Dillon family, who are now represented admirably and meticulously by Prince Robert of Luxembourg. He has made some changes, and all of them seem to have resulted in dramatic improvements to what was already an astonishing group of wines.

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/11/2013

Tasted at Chateau Haut-Brion. The first impression is that the aromatics upon the Haut-Brion almost cower compared directly against the ebullient, vivacious La Mission. It is probably an unfair comparison. Over time in the glass, it unfurls a little to reveal understated mineral-rich black fruit, tar and cigar box aromas. After 30 minutes and interchanging with an empty glass, it really opens up with hints of black olive and sea foam. The palate is very refined: a real class act. The tannins are fine but firm, initially a little austere and bashful but opening to reveal a sensual Haut Brion with just a touch of leafiness, allied with sublime freshness and delineation. It is keeping its secrets close to its chest at the moment, although the finish is very persistent and focused. It will require a decade cellaring. Tasted November 2012

Jamessuckling.com

97 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

This is very spicy with dried mushroom aromas with dark fruits and plum undertones. Sweet tobacco as well. This is full-bodied, with lots of tannins that are chewy and firm. This is muscular for HB and flexing it. Try in 2020

WeinWisser

19 / 20

the5/31/2011

57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 20% perfekter Cabernet Franc, Ertrag : 39hl/ha. Sehr dunkles Purpur mit lila Reflexen in der satten Mitte. Feinduftiges Bouquet, rote Pflaumen, blaue Beeren und schwarze Fruchtnoten, nach und nach mit den klassischen Gewürznoten von Havanna, Zeder, Mokka und dunklen Edelhölzern. Erstaunlich saftiger Gaumen mit feinem, fast zartem Stoff, schwarze Kirschen und Laktritze, gebündeltes, harmonisches Finale mit viel Rückaromatik. Schon präsenter als La Mission, aber mit grossem Potenzial. 2022-2050

Wine Advocate

98-100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

2010 Haut-Brion: Following a harvest that finished on October 10, Haut-Brion produced a 2010 that should turn out to be one of its all-time greats ... an amazing feat given what they have accomplished over recent vintages. A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc that came in at 14.6% alcohol, the 2010 boasts an opaque purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of scorched earth/burning embers, blueberries, black currant liqueur and crushed rocks. Full and opulent with nobility, finesse, purity and elegance, this amazing effort possesses extraordinary levels of extract as well as formidable, but sweet, well-integrated tannins. It requires 8-10 years of cellaring and should drink well for 50+ years. Drink 2019-2069

Asian Palate

98-100 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

Deep ruby purple in colour, the Haut-Brion offers a hedonistic nose of cedar, violets, blackberries, blackcurrant, and spices. This is a rich mouth-filling wine that will take at least a decade to come around. Reserved, aristocratic, very dense with velvety tannins and lovely layers of complex flavours, this very classy wine has a finish that just goes on and on. There is not much Merlot compared to other years, but the 20% Cabernet Franc has added spices, herbs and complexity that come through in the finish. A phenomenal wine.

Le Point

18,5-19 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Fermé, fruits noirs, minéral, tabac, bouche dense, pleine, voluptueuse, épicée, tannique, finale relevée. L'élevage devrait lui redonner plus de chair et de moelleux, le vin est un peu resserré sur lui-même aujourd'hui. O=2019 G=30 ans

Decanter Magazine

19,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/30/2011

Stunning aromas of beautifully concentrated red fruits, already expressive, even exuberant, a taffeta-like finesse hides great strength for the long term. Drink 2020-45. (19.5 points)

Jamessuckling.com

97-98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan CountryFranceSub RegionBordeauxVarietalVintage2010Score97-98Tasting Notes Wonderful aromas of dark fruits with sweet tobacco and lilac character. Blackberries too. Amazing nose. This is tight and powerful with beautiful tannins and a racy structure. It lasts for minutes. Super refined yet muscular style of Haut-Brion due to a much lower percentage of Merlot in the blend. I like the 2009 better. Its more typical. This is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

TAST

19-19,5 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Monumentalité propre aux domaines Dillon dans un millésime favorable à des vins de grande envergure, tannin plus dense que Mission, un peu plus d'austérité en finale mais dans la moindre agressivité, sensation de concentration de matière impossible à traduire en mots, vin grandiose mais qui demandera peut être un demi siècle pour prendre une forme moins intimidante!

The Wine Cellar Insider

98-100 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

Haut-Brion From a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this unique blend is made from one of the highest concentrations of Cabernet Sauvignon in the history of the property. In 2010, the wine reached 14.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.63. This combination allows for more ripeness as well as greater freshness. The effective yields are lower in 2010. Only 42% of the crop was included in the Grand Vin. For those that like statistics, 2009 Haut Brion is slightly lower in alcohol at 14.2 % alcohol with a pH of 3.9. . 2010 Chateau Haut Brion is deep ruby with a purple rim that shines in the glass. The wine is filled with smoke, earth, hot stones, spice, blackberry, cassis and hints of licorice. Full bodied and concentrated with multiple layers of spicy, fresh, rich dark fruit and cassis flavors that fill your palate, this elegant, regal wine builds in the mouth. From the first touch on your palate, it’s difficult to imagine the incredible length found in this wine. I timed the finish twice to make sure I had not lost track of the time. I shook my watch to ensure it was running correctly. This incredible wine remains on your palate for close to 80 seconds! Balanced, harmonious and regal, this will be an amazing wine to experience at maturity. 98-100 Pts

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/12/2011

23% Merlot, 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc. 7,800 cases, not 10,000+ as in 2009. 42% grand vin (compared with 57% in 2009). Full, opulent nose in which the classic Haut-Brion aroma is well masked by lots of slightly austere fruit. Very fine tannins – very drying finish. An extremely slow burner. Much drier than La Mission, and at the moment not desperately expressive. Its lips are pursed at the moment, and so are mine tasting it. Unusual to come across such a long-term wine even here. This may not make a massive impact en primeur because it is keeping so much in reserve. I think it will eventually make a great wine but it’s surly at the moment. Drink 2028-2045 (18++ points)

Wine Enthusiast

95-97 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/8/2011

Very firm, tanninc and structured, the wine is very tough and dry, with a concentration of flavours in a dark, brooding famework.-R.V.

Wine Spectator

96-99 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2011

Sappy, dense and packed, with layers of kirsch, melted licorice snap, anise and black tea. Just as dense, if not more so, on the finish, with extra tar, violet and blackberry confiture. There's massive grip on the back end, but this is velvety and caressing. Easily the most backward of the first-growths at this stage. Tasted nonblind. —J.M.