1995 Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan

Representative blend: 45% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. The second wine is Clarence de Haut Brion (previously Bahans Haut Brion).

Haut Brion is sited across the road from its sister property, La Mission Haut Brion. Both are within the southern suburbs of the city of Bordeaux, and surrounded by development on all sides. It is in part this very specific (and quite warm) microclimate which gives Haut Brion its unique taste - Havana tobacco, earth and spice. It can also be the most velvety and seductive of all the first growths, and to some extent remains underappreciated for its myriad subtleties and beauties.

Haut Brion has been owned by the American Clarence Dillon family since the 1930s.

Tasting Note

Serena Sutcliffe, MW: Innate breed, intense perfume and absolute First Growth impact on the nose. Terrifically luscious in the mouth and so full of black fruit depth. A simply marvellous wine, silky and magnificent. Hedonistic heaven. Another bottle was all spice box, liquorice and cigars - tremendous. Then, at 18 years old, in Cambridge for the 350th anniversary of Pepys mentioning Haut Brion in his diary, still young and vibrant, with an incredibly spicy, peaty nose. Roses, smoke and sandalwood. Smouldering richness and concentration. This could go for 50 years. – 05/13

Jamie Ritchie: Drinking superbly right now. Savory, spicy and supple. Tobacco. Great richness and length, balanced by lovely acidity. Very good. – 01/14