Château Haut Brion Blanc, Pessac Léognan, 2024
Like the Mission, production here was restricted to the habitual 400 cases, despite the high yields. More wine being delcassifed in to the Clarté than usual. Even more of a mouthful than usual, this has muscle and power but also demonstrates even more dimension than would ordinarily expect at this stage. It very much feels like the white version of the red – similarly statuesque and powerful – notes of fleshy orchard and stone fruit, a strong rock salt element, nettle and herbs, strong, sweet spice overtones with a hint of menthol on the finish. A blend of 58.1% Sauvignon Blanc and 41.9% Semillon.
critic reviews
After a little shaking, notes of orange blossoms, fresh grapefruit, and just-ripe pineapple slowly emerge from the glass, followed by hints of fennel seed, wet pebbles, and blanched almonds. The medium-bodied palate is so silky and seamless, melting in your mouth with saline-laced citrus and tropical fruit layers, finishing with epic length and depth. Incredible.
The 2024 Haut-Brion Blanc also has a reserved bouquet like the La Mission Blanc and demands more encouragement than usual. Eventually, there are lime, gooseberry, crushed stone and mirabelle scents that start to gain intensity after ten minutes. The palate is very well balanced with a slightly more pithy texture. It is quite peppery, with fine grip and hints of green olive toward the persistent finish. This is excellent.
Palest gold in colour, beautiful quality, has intensity and grip, it hugs on to the palate, delivering white peaches, pear, apple orchard, fragrant and charming, with a sweet apricot puree and bitter fennel on the finish. Acidity and structure a little more pronounced here than on La Mission, clearly will go the distance, if a touch less charming right now. 40% new oak, harvest September 2 to 10. 3.22ph. 38hl/h yield
A blend of 56.1% Semillon and 43.9% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2024 Haut-Brion Blanc reveals a complex, dense bouquet of smoke, iodine, white fruits and flowers mingled with delicate notes of citrus zest. Medium to full-bodied, it has a sappy and layered palate that's perfectly integrated, with a long, saline and ethereal finish. This vintage beautifully reconciles the intrinsic power of the terroir with the slow ripening of the growing season, resulting in a wine of remarkable finesse and vibrant white-fruited energy.