Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge 2021 Bottle size: 750ml

‘The solid and serious structure of this wine is reflected in the wood aromas and spice from wood aging. It is dense, packed with tannins at the core, and its concentration gives a dry character to the wine. Ready to drink from 2028.’ - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 98/100

‘The 2021 Haut-Brion confirms its fine showing en primeur, cementing its status as one of the wines of the vintage. Its complex bouquet of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of cigar wrapper and burning embers unfurls in the glass. Full-bodied, deep and velvety, it’s concentrated and layered with a multidimensional core of fruit, sweet tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Reflecting the timeless elegance of Haut-Brions from cooler years, the 2021 will delight Bordeaux purists. 2030-2065’ - Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate, 97/100

‘The 2021 Haut-Brion has a more extravagant, charming bouquet compared directly with the La Mission at the moment, offering copious blackberry, black truffle, undergrowth and menthol scents. The palate is very well balanced, harmonious and poised, with fine-grained tannins and an almost pixelated finish. This Haut-Brion seems to have reveled in the cooler growing season, and at 13.8% alcohol, there is almost a degree less than recent vintages. Jean-Philippe Delmas has fashioned a contender for wine of the vintage. 2030-2065’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 95-97/100

‘The 2021 Haut-Brion is all class, all finesse. Naturally the overt intensity of recent vintages is replaced by a more understated style in 2021. Silky tannins caress a core of dark cherry/plum fruit. Hints of lavender, new leather, cloves and menthol gradually open. The trademark Haut-Brion aromatics are going to need a number of years in bottle to develop. The 2021 is hardly a blockbuster, and yet in many ways it is so primary. 2031-2061’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 95-97/100

‘Stricter than the Mission at this early stage, with clear distiction, well balanced with grip and confidence, smoked black pepper, cloves, fennel, slate, rose stems, blackberry and cassis fruit, sculpted and concentrated. Exceptionally impressive with a clear rise from start to finish of the palate, building layers that will take it through the decades, and this is a wine to look forward to enjoying over decades to come. Harvest September 13 to October 8, with no Petit Verdot used this year. 73% new oak. 2028-2044’ - Jane Anson, janeanson.com, 95/100

‘Bright crimson-purple. Fragrant berry-fruit notes as the wine opens. Smooth and refined on attack, the mid palate full and generous swathing powerful but integrated tannins. Impressive length and drive. Quite a powerhouse for such a complicated year. Huge potential. 2032-2055’ - James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20