Description
From one of Bordeaux’s most storied estates comes the 1998 Château Haut-Brion, a wine that captures the essence of First Growth excellence.
Complex, rich, and structured, this vintage reflects both the exceptional terroir of Pessac-Léognan and the meticulous craftsmanship behind its creation. Château Haut-Brion’s vineyards rest on ancient gravelly soils, meticulously cultivated to bring out the full expression of each grape variety.
The 1998 – a blend of 59% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Cabernet Franc, aged in 77% new oak barrels – is celebrated for its balance of power and finesse. Its dense, inky colour hints at the richness within, while its elegant structure and velvety tannins promise longevity in the cellar. This is a wine for those seeking a piece of Bordeaux history and exceptional craftsmanship in every sip.
“For my money (and I have some in the cellar), the 1998 Haut-Brion is the finest vintage from this estate between 1989 and 2000, surpassing the 1990. While it remains decidedly youthful at age 25, it is beginning to stir, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berry fruit, cigar wrapper, loamy soil, pencil shavings and burning embers. Medium-bodied, deep and concentrated, it’s layered and elegant, with refined tannins, lively acids and a long, perfumed finish. Exemplifying the ideal of intensity without weight, it enjoys a slight edge over La Mission Haut-Brion in this banner year for both properties.” – 100 Points: William Kelley, Wine Advocate, December 2023
“Still incredibly youthful and sporting a lot of fruit, the deep garnet-brick colored 1998 Haut-Brion sashays out of the glass with flamboyant red and black fruits, followed by a train of cassis, blueberry pie and chocolate box notions plus accents of iron ore, dried lavender and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully rich and decadently seductive in its generosity of fruit and velvety texture, offering seamless freshness and finishing with epic length and compelling minerality. Oh so delicious right now, with careful cellaring it should continue to excite through 2045 and beyond.” – 99 Points: Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, May 2018
Pairing Suggestions: Pair with roasted lamb, duck breast, or aged beef. For a vegetarian option, try with wild mushroom risotto or eggplant parmesan.
Tasting Note: A deep, dense colour hints at its complexity. Aromas of ripe black fruit, roasted coffee, and cocoa blend with notes of caramel and tobacco. The palate is full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, elegant finish.
Origin: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France
Alcohol: 13.0%
Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
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