Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé, Pessac Léognan, 2011

Haut Brion has arguably been the most consistent First Growth over the past twenty years. The exceptional terroir in the suburbs of Bordeaux have an uncanny knack of producing exceptional wine whatever the weather throws at it. In 2011, the final blend is 46.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34.8% Merlot and 18.9% Cabernet Franc. It is at first reserved and brooding as one expects from Haut Brion, this terroir usually produces a more muscular introverted style than La Mission. With aeration the Haut Brion perfume comes to the fore, with heady notes of crushed rocks, cut flowers, raspberry liqueur and fine herbs. One is immediately met by a wall of sweet plums and loganberries on the palate, but amongst the sweet core there is a deeply mineral, gravelly characteristic that lies at the heart of this colossus. It is quite easy to be misled into thinking that this is a small scale wine given the exquisite balance and fine tannins, but this has great depth and will reward long-term cellarage. Another staggering Haut Brion.