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2018 Chateau Haut-Brion Premier Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan

Bottle size (ML)

Current price

$2,530
Chateau Haut-Brion Premier Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 10112472018

Start Your Wine Collection with 2018 Chateau Haut-Brion Premier Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan

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Critics Scores

JAMES SUCKLING
99

James Suckling

The length and texture to this wine is so very impressive. It’s not so much the sheer power that is impressive here, rather the form, tension and exquisite form that the abundant, fine-grained tannins provide. It lasts for minutes on the palate. A classic beauty in the making.

WINE ENTHUSIAST
98

Wine Enthusiast

This wine has an immense structure that's powered by tannins, yet backed by a dry core and bright acidity. The black currant flavor is very fine and concentrated while also having a juicy freshness that marks the vintage. It has all the structure that should be expected from this estate.

DECANTER
98

Decanter

A beautiful Haut-Brion that combines generosity and elegance. It's rich, and velvety, with a vibrant ruby rim, all conveying structure and a sense of power. The flavour floods in through the mid-palate, displaying wonderfully vibrant blackberry, blueberry, slate, touches of blond tobacco, freshly cut herbs and exotic spicing. You can feel in the texture that it's a warm year, not holding back. It's powerful but elegant and unforced at the same time, with some brambled edges that give a welcome sense of acidity and a touch of bitterness.

ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE
99

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2018 Haut-Brion is a blend of 49.4 Merlot, 38.7 Cabernet Sauvignon and 11.9 Cabernet Franc, harvested September 6 to October 2. Deep purple-black in color, it is much more closed than the La Mission. It holds back for the first few minutes, reticent to reveal what slowly uncoils to give wave after wave of exotic spices—cardamom, cassis, star anise and fenugreek—over an opulent core of red roses, Black Forest cake, warm cassis and black raspberries with nuances of cigar box, crushed rocks, truffles, tilled black soil, iron ore and smoked meats. The full-bodied palate is truly profound, with restrained black fruit and spice layers slowly offering mineral sparks and savory suggestions within a rock-solid frame of firm, super fine-grained tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. This will take longer to come around than the La Mission, but it will be well worth the wait.

JEB DUNNUCK
99

Jeb Dunnuck

The grand vin 2018 Haut-Brion (49.4 Merlot, 38.7 Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc) is as deeply colored as its stablemate but has a darker, smoky bouquet of blackcurrants, roasted herbs, tobacco, and gravelly earth. Silky, polished, and ethereally textured on the palate, with beautiful tannins as well as mid-palate density, it's one of the most regal, classic wines in the vintage. Barrel Sample: 97-99.

Region Summary

Located in southwest France, Bordeaux is home to some of the most famous, expensive, and sought-after wines in the world. Even in an increasingly competitive industry, the region reigns supreme with the largest market share by value. With everything from classic red blends to sumptuous whites, it’s easy to see why Bordeaux is the epicenter of the fine wine universe.

Why We're Investing

Bordeaux has long set the market for fine wine. To understand why, we need to take a journey back in time. In 1855, Bordeaux's Syndicate of Courtier created a first-of-its-kind wine classification system at the behest of Napolean III, the emperor of France. The courtiers divided châteaux into five tiers to help people understand which wineries were worth a splurge (first and second growths) and which ones were just okay (fifth growths). Despite its flaws, of which there are several, this historical ranking system is still in use today. The 1855 Bordeaux Classification fostered near-mythic reputations around first and second growth producers. As a result, these brands trade at a premium and do not endure the same fluctuations in demand as other lower-tier producers. More importantly, the Bordeaux Classification is borderline permanent for châteaux on the Left Bank. Since its inception, only two changes have been made. The permanence creates a rigid hierarchy where châteaux are valued by their name and classification. Even if an estate changes ownership, merges with another winery, or makes better wine, it will still be judged primarily on its name and classification. By comparison, wines in Burgundy are evaluated on their vineyards instead of the name on the label. Here’s another way to think about it: the most revered châteaux today are largely the same as the ones in 1855. For buyers, that means one thing: predictability. They can rely on steady performance from Left Bank châteaux over the long run, with ups or downs depending on the vintage. The Right Bank uses a different classification system that is a little less permanent, but the benefits for top estates are no less impactful. The one wild card is the weather. For the most part, Bordeaux has a mild maritime climate. Summers rarely exceed 86°F (30°C), and winters seldom dip below freezing. However, frost and mildew can topple the grape cart. Bordeaux’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean means winter air may become trapped in the vineyards and decimate a harvest. Small annual weather differences contribute to significant vintage variations, making Bordeaux a fascinating region to follow. Case and point: Bordeaux’s en primeur campaign, also known as wine futures. Each year, people can invest in a wine vintage while it is still in the barrel. The campaign gives châteaux an influx of capital and wine enthusiasts the possibility of buying wine below market value. Because the château names and classifications remain static, people often turn to the vintage quality and critic scores to determine investment-worthiness. It should come as no surprise that excellent vintages like 2008 and 2019 have handsomely rewarded those who invested en primeur.

What's the Latest

Once upon a time, Bordeaux had a stranglehold on the wine industry. According to Liv-ex, it accounted for more than 96 of the wine traded by value on the secondary market. That stranglehold has loosened in recent years. In 2021, Bordeaux’s trade share slipped below 40 for the first time. The following year, it hit 32. Tuscany and Napa Valley have gained ground in that time. However, Burgundy remains the biggest threat to Bordeaux’s crown, eclipsing Bordeaux in price performance and the number of unique wines traded per year. Don’t feel too bad for Bordeaux. It’s still thriving at auctions. In March 2019, a seven-hour auction of Château Lafite Rothschild brought in $7.86 million. A few days later, bottles of Bordeaux and Burgundy wines sold for $30 million, setting the record for the most expensive private wine collection. That’s not all. Demand is growing well beyond its biggest and brightest names. In 2010, first growths made up 61.9 of Bordeaux’s total market share. As of 2022, that number has dropped to 32.6. In that time, the number of Bordeaux wines traded on the secondary market has doubled, allowing lower-tier Bordeaux wines with attractive prices to share in the spotlight.

Looking Forward

Even amid economic headwinds, Bordeaux delivers exactly what consumers want - high-quality wines, sufficient volume, and (mostly) reasonable prices. While the region wouldn’t deliver instant returns aside from a fortuitous en primeur campaign, top tier châteaux have a long track record of enriching patient collectors. Any portfolio with Bordeaux can expect an unmatched combination of liquidity, brand strength, and quality. The region is ideal for anyone looking to minimize risk over the long term. Even with competitors coming for its throne, Bordeaux should maintain its status as a portfolio cornerstone for years to come.