Château-Haut-Brion Pessac Léognan 1996
- wa95
- ws93
Category | Red Wine |
Varietals | |
Region | France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan |
Brand | Château-Haut-Brion |
Wine Advocate
- wa95
While in some vintages La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion can be close in quality, that is not the case in this vintage. The 1996 Haut-Brion, a blend of 50% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc is clearly on a higher plane than the La Mission. There is something much more expansive and complete on the nose: greater depth of fruit, more harmonious with scents of underbrush, tar, black olive and this bottle perhaps less "feral" than I have noticed on previous examples. The palate is very well balanced with dark cherries, sous-bois and cedar. This is one vintage where I think the Cabernet Franc plays an important role and lends more complexity. This is a 1996 that has retained and built upon beguiling fleshiness and it will continue to evolve with style and panache. Tasted July 2016.
Wine Spectator
- ws93
Gorgeous aromas of crushed berries, cigar box, black licorice and tanned leather. Full-bodied, with fine silky tannins and a medium to long finish. Seems a little tight right now. But refined and pretty. Nice for the vintage.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008.
Red |
White |
Rosé |
Sparkling |
Kosher |
Organic |
No Sulfites Added |
Biodynamic |
Sustainable |
Screw Cap |
Future |
Pre-Arrival |
Advocate |
Spectator |
|
Enthusiast |
Suckling |
Shop |
Spirits |
|
Journal |
Advocate |
|
|
Panel |
Dunnuck |