2022 Château Haut Brion Magnum

Of all Bordeaux's premier crus, Haut-Brion is the most charming, always elegant and refined, and always in peak condition, whether young or old. Haut-Brion is the oldest and historically most colorful winery in the Gironde region – it was here that, in the 17th century, the first single-vineyard Bordeaux was made, first served in London coffee houses, and praised by many prominent writers. In 1935, the estate was purchased by Clarence Dillon, an American banker. He invested heavily in renovating the chai and the vineyard. In 1960, Haut-Brion became the first premier cru to replace the wooden barrels with stainless steel tanks. In 1983, the Dillon family purchased the adjacent Château la Mission Haut-Brion. The vineyard covers an area of 51 hectares, of which just over 48 hectares are planted with red grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot) and just under 3 hectares are dedicated to white grape varieties (Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc). The start of the 2021 winter was rainy, allowing water reserves in the soil to be replenished. From February onward, temperatures rose above seasonal averages, prompting an early start to the vine's growth cycle. The first part of April was marked by frost, more widespread but less severe than the previous year. For the Haut-Brion vines, the impact was minimal. May saw warm temperatures, and the vines continued to grow. During flowering, conditions were favorable, and the water shortage was compensated for by rainfall in June. Three significant heat waves, at the end of June, July, and August, marked the summer, combined with a near-total lack of rain. However, despite the extreme weather conditions during the summer, the grapes still reached optimum ripeness in early August, aided by some timely rain showers that helped to complete the process. The Haut Brion 2022 is a blend of 53.6% Merlot, 35.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11% Cabernet Franc. The wine was aged in 62.9% new French barrels and has an alcohol content of 14.45%. The color is deep and beautiful. The nose is captivating. Swirling the wine confirms this impression of perfect fruitiness. The hot summer didn't show its face: the vines responded to the extremes of the 2022 weather, and the grapes are ripe, perfectly ripe. Swirling the wine in the glass entices you to continue. The first palate is broad, taut, captivating, and precise. The wine then unfolds its structure, springs back, and expands with fullness. Structured and generous at the same time. In short, captivating! This is a 1.5-liter magnum—even more delicious, more festive, and with a longer drinking window. FACT: Under the "Attachment" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet, which we'll send you digitally when you order this wine. It's also worth mentioning that we purchase our (Bordeaux) wines directly and never through intermediaries, as we don't know all the journeys the wine has made and how it's been treated. The wines come directly from the Chateau's cellars to our climate-controlled warehouse in Dordrecht, where all our wines are stored