2005 Chateau Haut-Brion 750ml

Region or Appellation: Pessac Leognan/ Bordeaux / France

Classification: 1er Grand Cru Classé

Vintage: 2005

Blend: 56% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon & 5% Cabernet Franc

Alcohol ABV: 14 %

Sweetness: Dry

Drinking Window: 2013-2070

Closure Type: Cork

Vintage Notes:

2005 will remain in our memories as a historically dry year. This characteristic showed up already in winter when an important deficit of humidity was noted. In spite of a wet month in April, rain remained scares right up to the vendanges. All year long the temperatures stayed on the high side.2005 had climatic conditions very similar to the legendary vintage of 1949. Because of these elements the vines were able to produce small grapes of an extraordinary concentration; that would be harvested in a perfect condition.

Expert tasting note: (2005 vintage) "Deep ruby-red, not opaque. Wonderfully rich, intense ripe, red-fruit aromas on the nose. Fabulous, rich, soft, voluptuous red-fruit on the palate has truffle notes. This has marvellous elegance, the fine structure is open rather than tight. The long silky finish lasts very well." - 11/09 DCAMW

Jean de Pontac began constituting the Haut-Brion vineyard, in the Graves region, in 1525. His descendants went on to produce “New French Claret”, the precursor of today’s great red wines. Their efforts enabled Arnaud III de Pontac to sell his wine under the estate’s name as early as 1660. It gained a fine reputation and enormous success in London. The first of the Bordeaux great growths was born!

Haut-Brion’s history has been marked by many famous men: Count Joseph de Fumel (Field Marshal, Governor of the Province of Guyenne, and Mayor of Bordeaux), Talleyrand (Foreign Minister of Napoleon I, Emperor of France) and, more recently, C. Douglas Dillon (American ambassador to France and US Secretary of the Treasury during the Kennedy administration).

In 1961, Haut-Brion was the first of the great growths to use stainless steel fermentation vats, and continues to be in the forefront of innovation thanks to the meticulous selection of the ideal clones for each grape variety used at the estate.