critic reviews
A blend of 58.1% Sauvignon Blanc and 41.9% Sémillon, the 2023 Blanc from Haut-Brion is performing brilliantly in bottle, revealing aromas of confit citrus, pear, ripe white fruits, orchard fruits and a subtle touch of smoke. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and finely textured, it is more vibrant and tensile than La Mission, concluding with an enveloping, delicate and penetrating finish. As is so often the case at this address in this vintage, it surpasses the expectations formed at the en primeur stage.
The 2023 Haut-Brion Blanc has a clean and precise bouquet, lilting scents of apple blossom, dewy meadow and Mirabelle (as I remarked out of barrel). The palate is very well balanced with impressive weight, finely judged acidity, quite tensile and sapid with a dab of stem ginger on the finish. As I said before, texturally, this is a very satisfying Haut-Brion Blanc.
A blend of 58.1% Sauvignon Blanc and 41.9% Semillon, the white 2023 Haut-Brion has a pH of 3.2. It is incredibly closed to start, needing a lot of shaking to bring out fragrant notes of fresh pears, lime leaves, coriander seed, and crushed stones, soon opening out to fragrant scents of lemongrass and honeysuckle, with a touch of baking bread. The medium-bodied palate vibrates with energetic citrus flavors, with a satiny/chalky texture and a racy backbone, finishing with amazing length and depth.
On the reductive style, with gunsmoke and flint, reserved but evident flesh to the fruit, captures the contrasting freshness and intensity of a great white wine, and delivers a feeling of being raised up through the palate. Exceptional quality, 3.2ph. 40% new oak.