Haut Brion 1975 (3.0L)

94 JD / 91 WA / 90 WS / 17.5 JR

The 1975 Haut Brion is fully mature, yet is certainly one of the finest wines in the vintage. Its plummy color is followed by a classic Haut Brion bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, plums, tobacco leaf, scorched earth and roasted herbs. This is followed by a shockingly concentrated, full-bodied wine that has a beautiful opulence and silkiness, as well as plenty of sweet fruit developing with time in the glass. There’s no upside, but it’s beautiful wine. Jeb Dunnuck 12/12/2017

The Château Haut-Brion 1975 has been variable in the past, however this is one of the better examples with deep garnet color. The nose is lively with leather and scorched earth scents infusing the dusky black fruit, later a faint touch of terracotta coming through. The palate is well balanced, quite animally and feral for a respectable First Growth, but that is exactly what lends it its charm. There is just some dryness creeping in on the finish, so I would drink bottles over the next ten years or so. Perhaps given the quality of its sister La Mission Haut-Brion in this year, you would expect more, but it remains a delightful, self-effacing Haut-Brion that is best consumed sooner rather than later. Tasted July 2014. - Neal Martin

Austere, lean and polished, not exhibiting the hard edge shown by many 1975s, this is ultimately elegant, graceful and supple. Approaching its peak.--Haut-Brion vertical. - Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

Very obviously Haut-Brion with its characteristic warm-bricks aroma and comfortable, appealing fruit with great savoury appeal on the finish. Still very charming. - Jancis Robinson