Château Haut-Brion

Chateau Haut-Brion is one of the leading names on the prestigious Bordeaux wine scene, which it has helped to enhance through its broad, rich and elegant expressions. Indeed, because of its prestige and importance, this estate was ranked among the 5 Premiers Grands Crus in the famous 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines, along with other historic wineries such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. Chateau Haut-Brion is located in Pessac, just outside the city centre of Bordeaux, making it the only winery classified Premier Grand Cru not belonging to the Médoc area. Testifying to the extraordinary vocation of the château's vineyards, the Romans planted the first vines as far back as the 1st century A.D., while in 1521 Chateau Haut-Brion became the first plot in all of Bordeaux to be named in relation to its terroir rather than according to the name of the owner.
Located in the Pessac-Léognan area, on the left bank of the Garonne river, the little more than 50 hectares of vineyards planted by the Chateau Haut-Brion winery are planted on characteristic soils rich in small quartziferous pebbles, known locally as 'graves'. In addition to the presence of this gravel, the soils consist of clay, sand, limestone and marine fossil sediments. Here, the estate sustainably grows the black grape varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, with also a small percentage of the white grapes Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. The grapes are harvested by hand, carefully selected and then destemmed before being placed in stainless steel tanks for temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation. After about 2 weeks of maceration on the skins, the grapes are drawn off and the ideal blend is created, with the best masses being destined for Chateau Haut-Brion. The subsequent ageing lasts 18-20 months and takes place in French oak barrels, 60-80% new.
Several times, Chateau Haut-Brion, the wine-symbol of the estate of the same name, has been awarded the highest accolade by numerous world-renowned wine critics such as Robert Parker and Antonio Galloni, who have praised its magnificent class and elegance.