2023 Château Haut-Brion - Angry Wine Merchant

2012 Château Haut-Brion - Angry Wine Merchant

2023 Chateau Haut-Brion

Name: 2023 Chateau Haut-Brion
Brand: Chateau Haut-Brion
SKU: HBR-B23-312
Price: 2600.0 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Grand Vin

Red Bordeaux Blend

France / Bordeaux / AOC Pessac-Leognan

$2,600

JD 98

RP 97

V 97

Size:

12-Pack OWC 375 mL
6-Pack OWC 750 mL

Menge:

1er Grand Cru Classé

2023 Chateau Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, France

Elegant and complex, Château Haut-Brion red presents mineral aromas and a unique complexity. Its strength lays in the finish, which is surprisingly long. This aromatic persistence is due to its very noble origins.

TASTING NOTES
A beautiful dark, deep red colour, with purple glints. At this stage, it is rather discreet on the nose. Swirling reveals of a complex multitude of aromas, with notes of perfectly ripe red and black fruits. There are already hints of liquorice and smoky notes, indicators of superb bottles of this wine. The first taste is remarkable for its softness and immediate presence. The wine then develops, powerful but still delicious, to finish long and flavourful. It is indisputably a magnificent Haut-Brion!

THE WEATHER
Winter was rainy and relatively cold. As soon as budbreak occurred in mid-March, the vine’s growth was extremely vigorous, encouraged by regular rainfall and warm days. This rapid growth required the teams to swing into action in the vineyard, where watchfulness of the vine’s health needed to be faultless. Commitment from all the winegrowers, as well as the vineyard’s very privileged position, where leaves retain moisture for a short time thanks to good circulation of air here, made it possible to avoid a marked spread of mildew during the growing season, despite the pressure it represented.

Flowering came about in excellent conditions and gave the sign of an abundant harvest. This year called for a return to more green work: substantial green harvests were done, as well as leaf-thinning on the sunrise side of the row, in half of the vineyard. On the other hand, trimming was restricted to maintain coolness in the soils and to protect the grapes thanks to the shade provided. Harvests of white grapes began on 21st August in scorching sunshine. The grapes were healthy and working times were adjusted in order to pick the fruit only during the coolest hours of the day. Refrigerated vehicles were used to transport the crop and the pace of the harvests remained steady so as to protect the aromatic qualities of the white grapes.

These were particularly good, with acidity preserved and a satisfactory alcohol content, predicting pure, delicate wines, full of freshness. For the red grapes, harvests started on 6th September, with the weather still very hot. Ripeness was very good for all the varieties and the grapes showed superb concentration, rich in sugar and in phenolic compounds. The berries were fresh and ripe, packed with taste. The crop was abundant and this considerably prolonged the harvests, which continued right up until October, with the weather still very summery. Days of heatwave did not take away the fruity, fresh character of this vintage.

Blend
52.3% Merlot,
38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.1% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol by volume
14.6° (provisional)
New barrels
68.7%

JD 98

Jeb Dunnuck

Rating (96-98). The Grand Vin 2023 Château Haut-Brion checks in as 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's more focused and tight compared to its sibling, the La Mission Haut-Brion, but it has riveting purity in its black raspberry, currant, smoke, leafy tobacco, and scorched earth-like aromas and flavors. It's rich and full-bodied, with building tannins and a level of purity that's just about off the charts. As with most vintages of Haut-Brion, it should be given at least a decade of bottle age. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck, issue date: May 2024. Drinking window: n/a.

RP 97

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Rating (95-97). The 2023 Haut-Brion exhibits a more Cabernet-inflected personality than the richer 2022, offering up a deep but youthfully reserved bouquet of dark wild berries, licorice, smoke and pencil lead mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, nicely integrated new oak and spices. Full-bodied, deep and velvety, it’s layered and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit structured around abundant but velvety tannins, concluding with a long, controlled finish. Somewhat reminiscent of the estate's successful 2006, it's a blend of 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.1% Cabernet Franc. Reviewed by Yohan Castaing, issue date: April 2024. Drinking window: 2025 - 2055.

V 97

Vinous

Rating (95-97). The 2023 Haut-Brion is superb. Silky, soft tannins enshroud a core of black fruit, gravel, chocolate, cloves and licorice, building into a potent, sumptuous, dazzling wine. Exotic and racy, with remarkable polish, this has a ton of potential. It’s an especially sensual, seamless Haut-Brion. All the 2023 needs is time—probably quite a bit of it, especially for readers who want a full-on Haut-Brion experience. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, issue date: April 2024. Drinking window: 2033 - 2083.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS.

Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.

Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.

Packaging & Warm Weather Shipping

To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers with gel packs when necessary. During warmer months, we recommend selecting Next Day Air service. If Ground shipping is selected during high temperatures, a signed waiver may be required to release us from liability due to heat exposure.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.

Weather Holds & Free Storage

In periods of extreme weather, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safe conditions return. If you request immediate shipment during such periods, you must confirm in writing and acknowledge that you waive any condition guarantees.

We also offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the “Hold for Weather” option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.

Insurance

We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, per carrier terms and conditions.

Adult Signature Required

All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, or failed delivery attempts.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer. If a package is delayed, returned, or misdelivered due to incorrect shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if re-shipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.

States We Ship To

We ship to the following U.S. states:

Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

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International Shipping

We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.

CRITICAL REVIEWS
WINEMAKER NOTES

JD 98

Jeb Dunnuck

Rating (96-98). The Grand Vin 2023 Château Haut-Brion checks in as 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's more focused and tight compared to its sibling, the La Mission Haut-Brion, but it has riveting purity in its black raspberry, currant, smoke, leafy tobacco, and scorched earth-like aromas and flavors. It's rich and full-bodied, with building tannins and a level of purity that's just about off the charts. As with most vintages of Haut-Brion, it should be given at least a decade of bottle age. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck, issue date: May 2024. Drinking window: n/a.

RP 97

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Rating (95-97). The 2023 Haut-Brion exhibits a more Cabernet-inflected personality than the richer 2022, offering up a deep but youthfully reserved bouquet of dark wild berries, licorice, smoke and pencil lead mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, nicely integrated new oak and spices. Full-bodied, deep and velvety, it’s layered and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit structured around abundant but velvety tannins, concluding with a long, controlled finish. Somewhat reminiscent of the estate's successful 2006, it's a blend of 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.1% Cabernet Franc. Reviewed by Yohan Castaing, issue date: April 2024. Drinking window: 2025 - 2055.

V 97

Vinous

Rating (95-97). The 2023 Haut-Brion is superb. Silky, soft tannins enshroud a core of black fruit, gravel, chocolate, cloves and licorice, building into a potent, sumptuous, dazzling wine. Exotic and racy, with remarkable polish, this has a ton of potential. It’s an especially sensual, seamless Haut-Brion. All the 2023 needs is time—probably quite a bit of it, especially for readers who want a full-on Haut-Brion experience. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, issue date: April 2024. Drinking window: 2033 - 2083.

2023 Chateau Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, France

Elegant and complex, Château Haut-Brion red presents mineral aromas and a unique complexity. Its strength lays in the finish, which is surprisingly long. This aromatic persistence is due to its very noble origins.

TASTING NOTES
A beautiful dark, deep red colour, with purple glints. At this stage, it is rather discreet on the nose. Swirling reveals of a complex multitude of aromas, with notes of perfectly ripe red and black fruits. There are already hints of liquorice and smoky notes, indicators of superb bottles of this wine. The first taste is remarkable for its softness and immediate presence. The wine then develops, powerful but still delicious, to finish long and flavourful. It is indisputably a magnificent Haut-Brion!

THE WEATHER
Winter was rainy and relatively cold. As soon as budbreak occurred in mid-March, the vine’s growth was extremely vigorous, encouraged by regular rainfall and warm days. This rapid growth required the teams to swing into action in the vineyard, where watchfulness of the vine’s health needed to be faultless. Commitment from all the winegrowers, as well as the vineyard’s very privileged position, where leaves retain moisture for a short time thanks to good circulation of air here, made it possible to avoid a marked spread of mildew during the growing season, despite the pressure it represented.

Flowering came about in excellent conditions and gave the sign of an abundant harvest. This year called for a return to more green work: substantial green harvests were done, as well as leaf-thinning on the sunrise side of the row, in half of the vineyard. On the other hand, trimming was restricted to maintain coolness in the soils and to protect the grapes thanks to the shade provided. Harvests of white grapes began on 21st August in scorching sunshine. The grapes were healthy and working times were adjusted in order to pick the fruit only during the coolest hours of the day. Refrigerated vehicles were used to transport the crop and the pace of the harvests remained steady so as to protect the aromatic qualities of the white grapes.

These were particularly good, with acidity preserved and a satisfactory alcohol content, predicting pure, delicate wines, full of freshness. For the red grapes, harvests started on 6th September, with the weather still very hot. Ripeness was very good for all the varieties and the grapes showed superb concentration, rich in sugar and in phenolic compounds. The berries were fresh and ripe, packed with taste. The crop was abundant and this considerably prolonged the harvests, which continued right up until October, with the weather still very summery. Days of heatwave did not take away the fruity, fresh character of this vintage.

Blend
52.3% Merlot,
38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.1% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol by volume
14.6° (provisional)
New barrels
68.7%

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