2012 Chateau Haut-Brion

Red Bordeaux Blend

France / Bordeaux / Graves / AOC Pessac-Leognan

$585
RP 96
V 97
Size:
Quantité:

GRAND CRU CLASSÉS EN 1855, Premier Cru

The Climate 
The 2012 vintage was uneven from bud break, which was disturbed by a cool, wet month of April, to véraison (color change), which took place over a long period. Fortunately, the months of July and August 2012 were ideal: warm and dry. This fine summer weather enabled us to do everything possible in the vineyard in order to make up for the poor spring weather. For two months, our team worked meticulously to make ripening as homogeneous as possible, and removed any green grapes at véraison. The harvest for both red and white wines began under sunny skies. 2012 is a truly fine vintage for early-ripening terroirs such as ours.

Some Technical Information
Harvest Dates: From September 17th to October 9th
Blend: Merlot Noir: 65,5% ; Cabernet Sauvignon: 32,5% Cabernet Franc: 2%
New barrels: 75%
Alcohol: 15%
Bottling date: From July 8th to 10th 2014

Tasting notes 
Merlot plays a special role in this vintage since it forms two thirds of the final blend. The nose is subtle, elegant and very complex, with delicate hints of red fruit, blackberry and blackcurrant as well as more generous notes of liquorice, roasting coffee, oak and a nearly floral side that defies description. The tightlyknit structure is obvious from the beginning. However, it soon appears that the tannin is also quite rich, making the wine soft, rich, juicy and delicious. It already has a beautiful long aftertaste. The 2012 can vie with the estate’s great successes.

RP 96

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 96+) Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 Haut-Brion has an open and generous bouquet with blackcurrant pastille, cassis and briary aromas the exude very pure Merlot. The palate is medium-bodied with a sumptuous opening that is rare in 2012: rounded and generous, caressing in the mouth with black plum and blackcurrant towards the finish, residues of truffle and white pepper lingering on the aftertaste that turn very savory after 15 minutes—bacon fat or Italian cured meats. There is a lot to love about this Haut-Brion although in this blind showing I scored it the same as La Mission Haut-Brion. Who will stick their neck out as the two wines mature? Tasted January 2016. Reviewed by Neal Martin. Issue Date: October 2016. Drinking window: 2022 -2055.
V 97

Vinous

A big, powerful wine, the 2012 Haut-Brion possesses stunning richness and intensity, with all of the depth that is lacking in so many other wines in this vintage. Not here. The 2012 possesses remarkable depth and tons of raw, animal power that is going to require considerable time in bottle to soften. Readers should be in no rush; the 2012 Haut-Brion is a wine for the ages. Smoke, graphite, dried herbs and blue/purplish stone fruits grace the exotic, alluring finish. Reviewed by Antonio Golloni. Issue Date: July, 2015. Drinking window: 2027 -2052.

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SHIPPING: During warm summer weather, we recommend to only ship within the United States with Same Day or Next Day Air service to protect the wines from environmental damage. If you would like to waive this protection by shipping Ground, we will request a waiver be signed.

PACKAGING: Our premium wines need optimal temperature consistency, therefore are packaged in EPS foam shippers with gel pack (when needed) and shipped only during ideal weather temperatures.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, wine bottles will be removed from case and shipped inside a foam shipper box for safety (unless otherwise requested). The wooden case will be shipped separately at Ground service. If faster service is necessary please contact us.

WEATHER HOLD: In adverse temperature conditions, we reserve the right to withhold shipment until ideal temperatures return unless we receive explicit instructions via email to release the wines, voiding any guarantee. We will contact you if a hold is necessary.

FULFILLMENT: Shipments are via UPS.

  • Orders received Monday - Thursday before 2:00 p.m. will typically ship the same day.
  • Orders received Thursday 2:00 p.m. ~ Sunday will ship on Monday.

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Adult Signature: By law, all shipments of alcohol must be received and authorized by an adult. Our delivery carriers will not release packages without an adult signature and additional charges may be incurred if the package requires withholding or redirection.

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  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
RP 96

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 96+) Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 Haut-Brion has an open and generous bouquet with blackcurrant pastille, cassis and briary aromas the exude very pure Merlot. The palate is medium-bodied with a sumptuous opening that is rare in 2012: rounded and generous, caressing in the mouth with black plum and blackcurrant towards the finish, residues of truffle and white pepper lingering on the aftertaste that turn very savory after 15 minutes—bacon fat or Italian cured meats. There is a lot to love about this Haut-Brion although in this blind showing I scored it the same as La Mission Haut-Brion. Who will stick their neck out as the two wines mature? Tasted January 2016. Reviewed by Neal Martin. Issue Date: October 2016. Drinking window: 2022 -2055.
V 97

Vinous

A big, powerful wine, the 2012 Haut-Brion possesses stunning richness and intensity, with all of the depth that is lacking in so many other wines in this vintage. Not here. The 2012 possesses remarkable depth and tons of raw, animal power that is going to require considerable time in bottle to soften. Readers should be in no rush; the 2012 Haut-Brion is a wine for the ages. Smoke, graphite, dried herbs and blue/purplish stone fruits grace the exotic, alluring finish. Reviewed by Antonio Golloni. Issue Date: July, 2015. Drinking window: 2027 -2052.

The Climate 
The 2012 vintage was uneven from bud break, which was disturbed by a cool, wet month of April, to véraison (color change), which took place over a long period. Fortunately, the months of July and August 2012 were ideal: warm and dry. This fine summer weather enabled us to do everything possible in the vineyard in order to make up for the poor spring weather. For two months, our team worked meticulously to make ripening as homogeneous as possible, and removed any green grapes at véraison. The harvest for both red and white wines began under sunny skies. 2012 is a truly fine vintage for early-ripening terroirs such as ours.

Some Technical Information
Harvest Dates: From September 17th to October 9th
Blend: Merlot Noir: 65,5% ; Cabernet Sauvignon: 32,5% Cabernet Franc: 2%
New barrels: 75%
Alcohol: 15%
Bottling date: From July 8th to 10th 2014

Tasting notes 
Merlot plays a special role in this vintage since it forms two thirds of the final blend. The nose is subtle, elegant and very complex, with delicate hints of red fruit, blackberry and blackcurrant as well as more generous notes of liquorice, roasting coffee, oak and a nearly floral side that defies description. The tightlyknit structure is obvious from the beginning. However, it soon appears that the tannin is also quite rich, making the wine soft, rich, juicy and delicious. It already has a beautiful long aftertaste. The 2012 can vie with the estate’s great successes.

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