2018 Chateau Haut-Brion

Red Bordeaux Blend

France / Bordeaux / AOC Pessac-Leognan

¥104,400
JD 98
RP 100
V 96
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Availability: 1

1er Grand Cru Classé

2018 Chateau Haut-Brion – Depth and Precision in a Modern Bordeaux Classic

The 2018 Chateau Haut-Brion stands as a powerful yet composed expression from one of Bordeaux’s most historic estates. Produced in Pessac-Leognan, this vintage reflects both the resilience of the terroir and the estate’s exacting standards, delivering a wine of remarkable density, balance, and long-term promise.

Tasting Notes

The nose is deep and layered, revealing blackcurrant, graphite, tobacco leaf, and subtle smoke. On the palate, the wine is rich and structured, with finely grained tannins supporting concentrated dark fruit and mineral tones. Despite its power, the 2018 maintains freshness and control, unfolding into a long, polished finish marked by clarity and precision.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and a small portion of Cabernet Franc. Grapes were harvested parcel by parcel and vinified with meticulous attention to extraction and balance before aging in new French oak barrels. The warm 2018 growing season produced ripe, healthy fruit while Haut-Brion’s gravel soils preserved natural acidity and structure.

Investment & Collectibility

The 2018 vintage has quickly established itself as a cornerstone release for collectors focused on modern Bordeaux. Its combination of concentration, critical acclaim, and aging potential positions it as a strong long-term holding in fine wine portfolios.

Vintage Insights & Accolades

After a challenging start, the 2018 season finished with ideal late-summer conditions, resulting in wines of richness and balance. At Haut-Brion, these conditions translated into one of the estate’s most compelling recent vintages.


Explore Related Collections

JD 98

Jeb Dunnuck

A quintessential expression of this terroir, the 2018 Château Haut-Brion checks in as 49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. Ripe and sexy, yet also offering subtle aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, smoked earth, tobacco leaf, truffle, lead pencil, and minerals, it takes its time opening up but reveals a full-bodied, concentrated, multi-layered style carrying gorgeous tannins, flawless balance, and just a wonderful symmetry and elegance paired with beautiful richness. This noble, gorgeous Haut-Brion will benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age and cruise for 40 years or so. Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck, Issue date: November 2021. Drinking window: 2028 - 2068.
RP 100

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2018 Haut-Brion is composed of 49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11.9% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, the wine needs a lot of swirling before it begins to release a whole complex melody of notes, one at a time to begin: tilled earth, followed by pronounced licorice, then crushed rocks, then the preserved plums. Eventually, it all comes together into a fascinating crescendo of intense crème de cassis, rose oil, wild blueberries, and kirsch notes, giving way to quiet, persistent leitmotif scents of cinnamon stick, truffles, and redcurrant jelly. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers all this and more, revealing tightly wound black fruit, red berry, and exotic spice layers within a solid, wonderfully plush frame and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and loads of earth and mineral sparks. This is a profound, highly intellectual, multilayered baby, which will require a good 7-8 years to begin to sing its incredible song, then should cellar a further 40 years at least. By way of reference, think of 1989 with more restraint and even greater purity. Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Issue date: March 2021. Drinking window: 2028 - 2068.
V 96

Vinous

The 2018 Haut-Brion was double decanted, assessed after two hours and then over 24 hours, initially blind against La Mission Haut-Brion. There is more red fruit on the nose compared to the La Mission Haut-Brion, wild strawberries commingling with raspberry, light tobacco scents and shavings of black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully balanced with superb salinity. Maybe this is more elegant and seductive than the La Mission thanks to the killer line of acidity, though it has slightly less backbone and grip by comparison. Oddly, this First Growth is the most approachable of the pair. It has wonderful cohesion and harmony toward the precise, captivating finish. Superb. My hunch is that this will have wider appeal in its youth, then the La Mission might put its nose in front after 15–20 years. Reviewed by: Neal Martin, Issue date: January 2021. Drinking window: 2024 - 2060.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS so please plan with their schedule

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/Cold Weather Shipping

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

A quintessential expression of this terroir, the 2018 Château Haut-Brion checks in as 49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. Ripe and sexy, yet also offering subtle aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, smoked earth, tobacco leaf, truffle, lead pencil, and minerals, it takes its time opening up but reveals a full-bodied, concentrated, multi-layered style carrying gorgeous tannins, flawless balance, and just a wonderful symmetry and elegance paired with beautiful richness. This noble, gorgeous Haut-Brion will benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age and cruise for 40 years or so. Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck, Issue date: November 2021. Drinking window: 2028 - 2068.
RP 100

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2018 Haut-Brion is composed of 49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11.9% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, the wine needs a lot of swirling before it begins to release a whole complex melody of notes, one at a time to begin: tilled earth, followed by pronounced licorice, then crushed rocks, then the preserved plums. Eventually, it all comes together into a fascinating crescendo of intense crème de cassis, rose oil, wild blueberries, and kirsch notes, giving way to quiet, persistent leitmotif scents of cinnamon stick, truffles, and redcurrant jelly. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers all this and more, revealing tightly wound black fruit, red berry, and exotic spice layers within a solid, wonderfully plush frame and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and loads of earth and mineral sparks. This is a profound, highly intellectual, multilayered baby, which will require a good 7-8 years to begin to sing its incredible song, then should cellar a further 40 years at least. By way of reference, think of 1989 with more restraint and even greater purity. Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Issue date: March 2021. Drinking window: 2028 - 2068.
V 96

Vinous

The 2018 Haut-Brion was double decanted, assessed after two hours and then over 24 hours, initially blind against La Mission Haut-Brion. There is more red fruit on the nose compared to the La Mission Haut-Brion, wild strawberries commingling with raspberry, light tobacco scents and shavings of black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully balanced with superb salinity. Maybe this is more elegant and seductive than the La Mission thanks to the killer line of acidity, though it has slightly less backbone and grip by comparison. Oddly, this First Growth is the most approachable of the pair. It has wonderful cohesion and harmony toward the precise, captivating finish. Superb. My hunch is that this will have wider appeal in its youth, then the La Mission might put its nose in front after 15–20 years. Reviewed by: Neal Martin, Issue date: January 2021. Drinking window: 2024 - 2060.

2018 Chateau Haut-Brion – Depth and Precision in a Modern Bordeaux Classic

The 2018 Chateau Haut-Brion stands as a powerful yet composed expression from one of Bordeaux’s most historic estates. Produced in Pessac-Leognan, this vintage reflects both the resilience of the terroir and the estate’s exacting standards, delivering a wine of remarkable density, balance, and long-term promise.

Tasting Notes

The nose is deep and layered, revealing blackcurrant, graphite, tobacco leaf, and subtle smoke. On the palate, the wine is rich and structured, with finely grained tannins supporting concentrated dark fruit and mineral tones. Despite its power, the 2018 maintains freshness and control, unfolding into a long, polished finish marked by clarity and precision.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and a small portion of Cabernet Franc. Grapes were harvested parcel by parcel and vinified with meticulous attention to extraction and balance before aging in new French oak barrels. The warm 2018 growing season produced ripe, healthy fruit while Haut-Brion’s gravel soils preserved natural acidity and structure.

Investment & Collectibility

The 2018 vintage has quickly established itself as a cornerstone release for collectors focused on modern Bordeaux. Its combination of concentration, critical acclaim, and aging potential positions it as a strong long-term holding in fine wine portfolios.

Vintage Insights & Accolades

After a challenging start, the 2018 season finished with ideal late-summer conditions, resulting in wines of richness and balance. At Haut-Brion, these conditions translated into one of the estate’s most compelling recent vintages.


Explore Related Collections

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