2006 Haut Brion
By Chateau Haut Brion
2006 Haut Brion from Chateau Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux
The 2006 vintage from the esteemed Chateau Haut Brion radiates the rich tapestry of a season marred by climatic caprice - but this wine is unequivocally replete with a courage matched only by its finesse. Reflective of a year that necessitated consummate skill in vineyard and cellar alike, the 2006 Haut Brion emerges as an articulate chronicle of its terroir.
Unravelling the Tapestries of Terroir
A close scholarly engagement with the meteorological conditions of 2006 reveals Pessac-Leognan’s stoic resolve in overcoming adversity. An initial perturbation early in the season gave way to a splendid summer reprieve, gifting vintners with ample sun and optimal ripening conditions. The resultant harvest entered vinification halls boasting robust phenolic maturity that now resonates within this noble bottle.
Bordeaux’s Bottled Alchemy
Upon decanting, the 2006 Haut Brion bears a beguiling nose brimming with scents of smoky cedar and touches of graphite – an immediate overture to its Graves nobility. On the palate, ambassadorial layers of cassis, truffle, and earthy undertones pay homage to the seasoned masonry of Pessac-Léognan's soils. Firmly structured, the tannins afford both grace and longevity - a maverick showpiece of aging potential that speaks eloquently to fine wine investors.
The precision achieved in this blend is no fortuity but rather a testament to Chateau Haut Brion's unstinting dedication. Against the backdrop of adversity that beset many Bordeaux producers in 2006, Haut Brion stood firm, crafting a wine that encapsulates both power and poise.
In sum, to sip on the 2006 Haut Brion today is to ponder a vignette of artful resilience, marked by a quietly confident structure and layers intricately sewn by seasoned hands; an indispensable gem for collectors and investors seeking to embellish their portfolio with something singularly telling of Bordeaux's indomitable spirit in that year.
Market price (CAD)
$6,855.25
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
257.44
Scores and tasting notes
The 2006 Haut-Brion performed even better from bottle than it did from barrel. Sixty-four percent of the production went into this wine, and while it displays the vintage’s powerful tannins and structure, it possesses superb concentration, and the minerality/scorched earth notes of a great Haut-Brion. Medium to full-bodied, with perhaps not quite the fleshiness of the 2005 or 2000, it is built more along the lines of the 1998 and 1996. It is a brilliant effort displaying sensational purity, texture, and length that should be exceptionally long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2035 .
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #181 Feb 2009
Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Château Haut-Brion has a more ostentatious bouquet than the comparatively reserved La Mission: quite feisty blackberry, briary, kirsch and red plum scents, hints of leather and sage tucked just underneath. This is a bouquet determined to make an impression! The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well-judged acidity, a gentle build to a concentrated, earthy, truffle-tinged finish that lingers long in the mouth. This seems to have the upper-hand over the La Mission and probably has a longer future. A thoroughbred from Jean-Philippe Delmas and his team. Tasted January 2016.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 29 May 2016
Tasted blind at Southwold ’06 Bordeaux tasting. At this stage, the Haut Brion ’06 is a little disjointed on the nose: blackberry, cold black tea, autumn leaves in an October bonfire, a touch of damson and even a slither of marmalade. Good definition but needs time to meld. The palate is rounded and supple on the entry, saturated tannins, black cherries, damson, cassis, lower acidity, very caressing with a smooth cohesive, fleshy finish with beguiling weight and persistency. Tasted January 2010.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2010