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Haut Brion 2004

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc

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Label

Tasting Notes

95
Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, August 2009

Wonderful aromas of dried flowers, currants, berries and mineral. Full-bodied, yet reserved and refined. Lovely texture, with a pure silk feel. Seamless and beautiful red. Great length. A joy to taste. Even better than from the barrel. Best after 2012.

95
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2007

Medium intensity. Very well integrated, neat nose without massive intensity but attractive inky dryness. Super fresh acidity but not aggressive and lovely supple tannins. There’s not the weight of the 2005 on the palate but there is lovely balance. Really fragrant and fresh.Drink 2013-28

18.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, June 2008
95
Farr Vintners, Southwold Bordeaux Tasting, January 2008

Haut Brion, surrounded as it is by the su burbs of Bordeaux, enjoys an even better terroir now than when it was prasied by Samuel Pepys in the 17th century. This year, it was the quality of the Merlot that shone, and that accounts for just over 60% of the blend. The sweet, candied opulence this brings to the wine is remarkable, together with spicy, tobaccoey intensity. The palate is a joy, featuring characteristic dense, earthy fruit concentration wrapped inside a tight ball of tannin and acidity. Tannins are high and very ripe, length mineral and serious. Classic Haut Brion. 2012-2030

18
Wine International Panel, Wine International (June 05), June 2005
93/97
-, Wine International (June 05), June 2005
Read more tasting notes...

The dark plum/ruby-hued 2004 Haut-Brion exhibits a noble, discrete, smoky bouquet revealing notions of plum liqueur, black currants, sweet cherries, and subtle earth. In addition to its aromatic complexity, this medium-bodied effort reveals classic elegance and delicacy as well as sweet fruit in the mouth and a long finish. Give this streamlined, civilized wine 2-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 20-25 years. It is amazingly similar to Haut-Brion’s 1999.

92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (171), June 2007

Although atypically delicate and light for this estate, the 2004 Haut-Brion exhibits the essence of this fabulous terroir situated in the suburbs of Pessac. Gravelly, smoky, cranberry, black cherry, and plum-like scents jump from the glass of this fresh, medium-bodied red along with notions of road tar, earth, and truffles. Stylish, with crisp acidity, it is a beautifully made, pure, long 2004 to enjoy during its first two decades of life.

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (165), June 2006

An atypically high percentage of Merlot (61%) in addition to 19% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon make up the 2004 Haut-Brion. Fifty-five percent of the production was utilized for the grand vin, a surprisingly forward, charming, silky effort despite the relatively high tannin. In fact, it reminded me of the 1985 even though those vintage conditions have nothing in common with 2004 other than high yields. In any event, the 2004 is a beautiful effort that is far superior to the 2002. Soft, gentle, and gracious, with a deep plum/ruby/purple color, it offers up aromas of smoked herbs, sweet plums and black cherries, and hints of mulberries as well as earth. Medium-bodied, structured, pure, round, and seductive, with a long finish, there is more here than meets the eye and the palate. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2024.

93/95
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (158), April 2005

Classy aromas of flowers, toasted oak and berries follow through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a long finish. Seamless.

92/94
James Suckling, Wine Spectator (April 05), April 2005

[M 61%, CS 20%, CF 19%] Deep crimson and just slightly less blue than La Mission. More aromatic lift than La Mission but lots of rigour. Strict framework, tannins more evident than flesh. A low key wine, but then Haut-Brion is always low key. Dry rather than sweet - so unpushy as to be easy to overlook. Fine dry tannins on the finish. A bit denser than La Mission.

18
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, August 2005
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.