Haut Brion Blanc 2016 (750ML)

99 JD / 97 JS / 96+ WA / 95 VM / 95 DE / 95 WS

The white of the vintage is the 2016 Haut Brion Blanc, a Sauvignon-dominated blend that includes just under 30% Sémillon. Amazingly deep and rich, yet vibrant at the same time, it offers an exotic, liquid rock-like minerality as well as notes of citrus zest, crushed limes, and white flowers. It’s unquestionably one of the most concentrated, powerful wines out there, yet it still just glides across the palate with flawless integration of its fruit and acidity. It needs short-term cellaring and will keep for 20-30 years if you’re so inclined. - Jeb Dunnuck

An ethereal nose with very bright and delicate lemon citrus, dried-grass nuances, fresh-pastry notes and a lemon-blossom edge. The palate is astutely focused, energetic and quite taut, in a restrained style. A thread of fresh acidity holds long and seductively smooth into the fresh, cashew and hazelnut-infused finish. Unwaveringly precise. A blend of 70.5 per cent sauvignon blanc and 29.5 per cent semillon. Try from 2023. - James Suckling

Made up of 70.5% Sauvignon Blanc and 29.5% Sémillon, the Haut-Brion 2016 Blanc is a little closed to begin, the nose slowly revealing notes of orange blossoms, fresh ginger, lime zest and wet pebbles over a core of white peaches, pink grapefruit and lemon curd. Medium-bodied, the palate has fantastic elegance and depth, with layer upon layer of fragrant citrus and stone fruit-inspired flavors and a racy backbone, finishing with epic length. - LPB, Wine Advocate

The 2016 Haut-Brion Blanc is a wine of real textural depth and resonance. Ample, full-bodied and rich, the Blanc speaks with a sense of regal sophistication. Absolutely nothing is out of place. There is plenty of freshness, but the Blanc is above all else a vertical white built on poise. Today, the 2016 shows quite a bit of youthful exuberance, but time in bottle should help temper some of that. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

This takes a beat before getting going, then kicks in with elegance and power. It has been in bottle for a year at this point and is still reticent, slowly revealing white pepper and lemon zest notes, building through slate walls to a mineral, saline finish, layering up over the palate to make its presence felt. 2017 will be the first vintage that Diam corks are used as closures, so 2016 is the last year for natural corks for the whites. Drinking Window 2019 - 2035 - Jane Anson, Decanter

Macadamia nut, jasmine and brioche notes lead this opulent white off, followed by a mix of creamed yellow apple, meringue, verbena and lemon curd accents. Straw and brioche detail carry the finish with aplomb. Best from 2022 through 2034. 519 cases made. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator