Haut Brion 1959 (750ML)

100 VM / 20 JR / 98 WS

The 1959 Haut-Brion is, in my view, the most moving of the utterly profound wines on the table. Ripe and flamboyant, the 1959 races across the palate with kirsch, mint, licorice and tobacco, all in an unctuous, flashy style that captivates all the senses. A darker and more voluptuous version of the 1961, the 1959 has it all. Layered and sweet on the palate, with fabulous depth and breathtaking complexity, the 1959 boasts superb polish, a long, seamless finish and tremendous harmony. At times, the 1959 exhibits an almost Burgundian-like sense of finesse and lightness on the palate. Quite simply, this is as good as it gets. The 1959 shows no signs of fading; rather it is likely to gradually lose intensity over the next 10-15 years, although it may last well beyond that. I wasn’t born when the 1959 was made, so I can only imagine what it must have tasted like as a young wine. Even today, it is incredibly rich. In a word: unforgettable. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Dark crimson with an aged rim. Polished, sweet, fully ripe, seductive fruit – wonderful. And it has retained freshness and vivacity too. Perfectly balanced. A long-lived marvel. - Jancis Robinson

After decades of argument, the debate continues over which Haut-Brion is greater - 1959 or 1961? The 1959, which is certainly less evolved, gets my nod as slightly superior to the full-blown, completely mature 1961. The 1959 offers a spectacular, rich, garnet/plummy color, a magnificent bouquet of roasted chestnuts, sweet, jammy, black-cherry, and raspberry fruit, and an intense, mineral, chocolate, coffee aroma. Super-concentrated, with layer upon layer of fat, supple, jammy fruit, a voluptuous texture, and a sweet, long, heady finish, this magnificent Haut-Brion has reached its plateau of maturity where it should remain for 10-15 years.