Château Haut Brion - Pessac-Léognan 2005

Vinous

100 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 15/11/2015

One of my wines of the night, the 2005 Haut-Brion is stratospheric. Remarkably vivid and nuanced, the 2005 presents a compelling mélange of dark flavors laced with the savory/mineral notes that are so typical of Haut-Brion. The 2005 is a thrill to follow in the glass, as it continually reveals new shades of its personality, something I consider a common attribute among all of the world's truly great wines. The dense, explosive finish points to a very bright future. Readers who own the 2005 should be thrilled, as it is truly magnificent.
Drink 2020 - 2055.

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/06/2015

The mineral-laced 2005 Haut Brion (56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc) is exquisite. With its elegance and finesse, it is not as powerful as La Mission, but the nobility and complexity of the aromatics, incredible fragrance (subtle smoke and blue, red, and black fruits) that persists in the glass, full-bodied mouthfeel (though very light and delicate on its feet), and incredible length characterize this great Haut-Brion. It is just starting to drink well, and should continue to do so for at least another three decades. It is a tour de force in winemaking, but only 9,000 cases were produced.

Jancis Robinson

19 / 20

par Jancis Robinson le 09/02/2015

From an exceedingly handsome magnum. Very healthy-looking shaded dark ruby. Looks sumptuous. Broad, ripe, flattering warm-bricks Haut-Brion nose. Very heady and gorgeous indeed. Neat and contained but so layered and lovely! The tannins are well in retreat even in this magnum (although they make their presence felt on the very end) but the wine seems sufficiently well built that it will last decades. Very seductive and true to its origins. I hope that most experienced drinkers would be able to identify this blind – a great compliment to it. Not heavy but very dense. 

La Revue du Vin de France

18 / 20

le 20/10/2014

Bouteille d'une grande classe avec une élégance naturelle. Beaucoup de fruits et des notes de menthol présentes au nez et en bouche. Les tanins se montrent moelleux, sans excès d'extraction. Le bois apporte une légère touche grillée en finale avec la saveur d'un toast délicat. Moins dense que la Mission, mais plus raffiné et long en finale. A garder.

Wine Advocate

97 / 100

par Neal Martin le 15/06/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This is relatively subdued on the nose. Very closed: black fruits, a touch of black olives, bacon fat and game. Complex but broody and sullen. The palate has a rich, opulent entry with thick chewy tannins, again massive grip in the mouth. A lot of oak at the moment but there is more than enough fruit intensity here to balance it up. Breathtaking purity and definition, a tangible sense of minerality. I think decanting would improve the aromatics, because the palate has it all, and some. I wish I had longer with this, you can see it awakening in the glass. Do not touch this for another ten years. Drink 2018-2050+ Tasted January 2009. 97+

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

97 / 100

par Stephen Tanzer le 30/06/2008

Bright ruby-red. Wonderfully expressive nose combines black raspberry, mocha, hot stones, caramel and tobacco. Lush, fat and full but with terrific definition and suavity to its extravagantly dense black raspberry, stone and licorice flavors. As large-scaled as this is, it's not at all overly sweet. Expands impressively on the back half, finishing with substantial tannins that are thoroughly covered by fruit. A great vintage for Haut-Brion.

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

par Robert Parker le 07/05/2008

Another profound effort from Haut-Brion, the 2005 (a 9,000-case blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc) has bulked up to the point that it is fair to compare it to the great successes of 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1998, and 2000. A dark ruby/purple color is followed by a nuanced, noble bouquet of blue and red fruits interwoven with wet stones, unsmoked cigar tobacco, scorched earth, and spring flowers. The wine is full-bodied, pure, and complex as well as exceptionally elegant with laser-like precision. The tannins are still serious and substantial, and in that sense, this is a completely different style of Haut-Brion than the opulent, silky-textured 1989 and 1990. As I have written before, it comes across as an improved, more concentrated and structured version of the 1995 or 1998. Patience will be required for this stunner. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040+

Wine Spectator

100 / 100

par James Suckling le 22/02/2008

Wine Advocate

96-100 / 100

par Robert Parker le 04/05/2007

The 2005 Haut-Brion is another wine that has put on weight over the last year. While I still believe the 1989 is the great classic, it is difficult not to admire the architectural structure and seriousness of this extraordinarily elegant effort. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon (which came in around 14% natural alcohol), 39% Merlot (over 13% natural alcohol), and 5% Cabernet Franc, only 9,000 cases were produced in this vintage, significantly less than in other great years such as 2000 or 1998. It appears to be a big, bulked-up version of the 1996 or 1995. While almost primordial in its denseness, richness, and body, it retains its elegance and surreal nose of flowers, cherries, pain grille, crushed rocks, flowers, and ripe fruit. Powerful, dense, and in need of a decade of cellaring, this will be a 30 to 40-year Haut-Brion that should end up being a modern day version of the 1955. Although closed at present, it is enormously impressive, and is a treat to taste next to the more flamboyant La Mission Haut-Brion. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2040+.

Wine Advocate

96-100 / 100

par Robert Parker le 27/04/2006

The 2005 Haut-Brion is an extraordinarily broad, rich, full-bodied effort boasting huge aromas of scorched earth, plum sauce, sweet cherries, black currants, and a hint of toasty oak. The wine possesses huge tannins, which is somewhat deceptive given its viscosity and opulence. Despite its intensity, Haut-Brion is always a model of elegance and symmetry. The profound 2005, which will undoubtedly shut down after bottling, should be less seductive in its youth than either the 1989 or 1990, but it will be incredibly long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040+.

Wine Spectator

95-100 / 100

par James Suckling le 28/03/2006

Superdark for Haut-Brion. The nose is mindblowing. Exotic. Like a bouquet of flowers with raspberries and currants as well as Chinese spices and fruits. Hints of new wood. Full-bodied, with ultrarefined tannins and great length—goes on and on. This is on its way to 100 points. Better than 1989. —J.S.