1995 Haut Brion
By Chateau Haut Brion
1995 Haut Brion from Chateau Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux
In the pantheon of Bordeaux wine, Chateau Haut Brion is a constellation of its own, and the 1995 Haut Brion is a particularly brilliant star in said constellation. This vintage is one that shall be etched into my memory for decades – a blend of grace, intensity, and a poignant narrative of place and time.
Authentic Expression of an Outstanding Vintage
The year 1995 was marked by optimal climatic conditions in Pessac-Leognan, leading to what many collectors consider one of the standout vintages of the decade. It is this singular year that gave us an incarnation of 1995 Haut Brion that reaches into the profound depths of vinous excellence. It strikes a perfect chord between ripe fruit and supple earthiness, embodying the quintessence of its glorious lineage.
A Sensory Journey through Time and Terroir
On the palate, the wine unfurls its multilayered complexity with an elegant hand. Notes of dark berries fuse with smoked earth, hints of leather and truffle which are framed by an enviable structure – tannins thoroughly softened by maturity, yet assertive enough to suggest a continued bright future ahead. The balance here is impeccable.
The finish is endless and nuanced; every sip lingers magnificently. It's clear why serious investors regard 1995 Haut Brion from Chateau Haut Brion as a must-have. This wine embodies not just the potential of an exceptional Bordeaux vintage but also the artistry that Chateau Haut Brion consistently delivers.
For those seeking an in-depth comparison of Bordeaux's finest years, explore our Bordeaux vintage chart for a comprehensive guide to the top Bordeaux vintages.
A Vintage Worthy of Investment
Vintage analysis for wines such as these is paramount; discerning collectors understand that '95 stands as a testament to what meticulous vineyard management and deft winemaking can achieve under nature's benevolence. Investment-wise, it displays all the attributes one seeks: rarity, acclaim, stability and potential for delightful maturation.
IN SUMMARY: The 1995 Haut Brion is one for the annals; it represents both a collector's jewel and an investor's prize. Its legacy is subtly etched upon the palates of those fortunate enough to experience it while equally captured within portfolios where it appreciates not just in taste but in tangible value.
Market price (GBP)
£4,730.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
295.63
Scores and tasting notes
It is fun to go back and forth between the 1995 and 1996, two superb vintages for Haut-Brion. The 1995 seems to have sweeter tannin and a bit more fat and seamlessness when compared to the more structured and muscular 1996. Certainly 1995 was a vintage that the brilliant administrator Jean Delmas handled flawlessly. The result is a deep ruby/purple-colored wine with a tight but promising nose of burning wood embers intermixed with vanilla, spice box, earth, mineral, sweet cherry, black currant, plum-like fruit, medium to full body, a high level of ripe but sweet tannin, and a finish that goes on for a good 40-45 seconds. This wine is just beginning to emerge from a very closed state where it was unyielding and backward. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2035. Last tasted, 11/02.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 31 December 2002
Tasted in Bordeaux, it has been a few years since I last encountered the Haut-Brion 1995. Deep garnet in colour, it has a high-toned bouquet, much more youthful than I was expecting, with dark plum, fresh tobacco, tertiary/damp moss and wild mushroom. The palate is full-bodied and simply purrs with class. Certainly well into its drinking plateau, the ’95 has great depth and dimension, earthy notes developing as the wine opens up, mellowing and in some ways reminding me of the lovely 1982. Sedate, composed and very long in the mouth. Beautiful. Tasted March 2011.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Sep 2011