Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé, Pessac Léognan, 2012

Jean-Philippe Delmas explained that the yield is down as they had to eliminate green bunches in the summer and undertook some 'toilettage' in August, the process of cutting berries mid veraison. The yields are still a healthy 45hl/ha, which is much better than many estates have achieved in 2012. Picking commenced on the 17th of September and finished on the 9th of October. Botrytis was beginning to affect the Cabernets, so these had to be picked and not necessarily at optimum ripeness. The Merlots were by contrast very ripe and possessed high potential alcohols. Jean-Philippe said that in terms of analytical comparison, the 2012 is most similar to the 2006, however upon tasting he sees more in common with the 2001 but with more concentration, alcohol and power. Dark fruit liqueur, crushed rocks, and griotte; the palate is ever so pure with velvety raspberry and cherry fruit. This is very regal, cashmere lined claret with a wonderful tannic spine. Produced from 65.5% Merlot, 32.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc.