Château Haut Brion - Pessac-Léognan 1979

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/09/1998

This wine has enjoyed a spectacular development in the bottle, and, while drinkable upon release, it remains one of the most sumptuous, complex, and satisfying Haut-Brions of the last twenty years. It is certainly the finest wine of the vintage from Bordeaux's Left Bank. The wine has taken on a dark plummy/garnet color, and displays a magnificent tres Haut-Brion nose of jammy black fruits, earth, tobacco, smoke, and sweet fruitcake aromas. It is rich and medium to full-bodied, with impressive elegance, purity, and overall harmony. This is not a powerhouse or exceptionally opulent style of Haut-Brion (such as the 1989 and 1990), but, rather, a more structured, yet authoritatively flavorful wine. It offers power, richness, and elegance in a wine with extraordinary equilibrium. Anticipated maturity: Now-2006. Last tasted 10/97

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

par Robert Parker le 31/08/1993

Fully mature, yet easily capable of lasting another 10-15 or more years, the 1979 Haut-Brion has consistently performed well in the bottle. One of the top 1979s, it is a classic Haut-Brion with a deep ruby color exhibiting some orange tones at the edge. Earthy and perfumed, with intense aromas of herbs, tobacco, and blackcurrants, as well as scents of barbecued meats, this medium to full-bodied wine offers wonderful richness and harmonious, supple flavors. It is a gorgeous Haut-Brion. Last tasted, 6/93

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 31/12/1992

Last Tasted 8/92 This is one of the stars of the underrated 1979 vintage. Nearly fully mature, it displays an impressive dark ruby color with only slight amber at the edge. The nose offers a classic Haut-Brion fragrance of roasted fruit, tobacco, minerals, and sweet earth. The wine is medium-bodied, with excellent richness, good structure, and a long, rich finish. It is obviously made from a cooler vintage than any of the torridly hot years of the eighties.