2011 Chateau Haut-Brion - 1er Grand Cru Classe Pessac-Leognan

Decanter.com – 97 pts – JA: *A serious Haut-Brion, still very much closed. Concentrated with firm tannins, this has real depth to it, showing walls and structure. Beautiful juice starts to seep through the walls after a few moments and this has great potential. It has a tannic frame that softens as it opens, and lets the light in, showing its more elegant side. Cleverly constructed, this is great winemaking, a clear success. 72% new oak. Harvest August 31 to September 27.* - 02/2021

Falstaff Magazin – 95 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Ockerrandaufhellung. Feinwürzig, schwarze Waldbeeren, Nuancen von Herzkirschen, Tabak, mit einem Hauch von Edelholz unterlegte Heidelbeernuancen. Am Gaumen feines Süße, straffe Tannine, zarter Nougat, finessenreiche Säurestruktur, rotbeerig im Abgang, feiner Ribiseltouch im Nachhall, salzig-zitronig, feine Mineralität, sicheres Reifepotenzial.* - 02/2022

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 94pts - NM: *Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2011 Haut Brion has always been an excellent Pessac-Léognan, though recent encounters suggest it does not have the potential of the 2012. It has a gentle and caressing bouquet full of copious dark cherry and raspberry fruit, a touch of saddle leather and a seam of dark chocolate emanating from the oak regime, which needs more time to integrate (though it is not an Haut-Brion that is going to demand years and years in bottle). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and feels gentle in the mouth. It is very well balanced, although perhaps the oak comes through too strongly on the finish, when frankly there is no need. Nevertheless, this is a classic Pessac-Léognan - maybe "mild mannered" and a little conservative compared to more ambitious recent vintages, yet there is no doubting its class and pedigree. Tasted December 2016.* -02/2017

Vinum Magazin – 18/20pts: *Wer Klassiker schätzt, greife zu: dieser Haut-Brion besitzt absolute Grösse, er ist von perfekten Proportionen und genau richtiger Herbe, die den Reifeprozess unterstützt.* - 05/2014

WeinWisser – 19+/20pts - TW: *Erhabenes Bouquet mit Wildkirsche, edler Cassiswürze und Palisander. Im zweiten Ansatz Brasiltabak, Preiselbeersaft und Schokotrüffeln. Am royalen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, fein körnigem Extrakt, engmaschig reifem Tanningerüst und mächtigem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale mit kleinen schwarzen Beeren, Wacholder und tiefschürfender Terroirwürze. Pure Finesse, alles am richtigen Platz und damit der beste Wein aus Pessac!* – 11/2021

(04/12): *Manages to harness the angularity of the vintage extremely well, almost burying the acidity
in the core of cassis, black cherry skin, plum pit and maduro tobacco flavors. This is typically among the
most backward wines of the vintage when young, and it´s still tight and primal, but with admirable length
and density already. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Tasted non-blind. (93-96/100)*

JancisRobinson.com – 17,5+/20pts – JR: *Tasted blind. Interesting yeast-extract nose. Solid and chunky. Dominated by tannin at the moment and still with lots in reserve. Lots of interest on the finish.* - 10/2021

Vinous.com – 94 pts – NM: *The 2011 Haut-Brion has a really lovely, warm, autumnal nose with red fruit, chestnut, autumn leaves and Earl Grey scents. Very complex. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, a crisp line of acidity, maybe just a little austere on the finish, but there is fine focus with a delicately spiced, slightly medicinal finish. This is an impressive and quite delicious Haut-Brion that should give 20 years more drinking pleasure. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.* - 09/2021