Château Haut-Brion
17 products
Bottle
750ml
Château Haut-Brion: A Buyer's Guide
Château Haut-Brion is one of the most famous wine estates in the world and the oldest of Bordeaux's great châteaux. Often searched simply as "Château Brion", it is the only red wine from outside the Médoc ranked a First Growth in the 1855 Classification, alongside Lafite, Latour, Margaux and Mouton. Today Haut-Brion and its neighbor across the road, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, belong to the same family, Domaine Clarence Dillon, and together make some of the finest red and white wines in Bordeaux. This page brings the whole family together: Haut-Brion, La Mission, their white wines and their second wines.
Château Haut-Brion: Quick Reference
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux |
| Classification | First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé) in 1855; Classified Growth of Graves |
| Owner | Domaine Clarence Dillon, owners since 1935 |
| Red Grapes | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc |
| White Grapes | Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc |
| Soil | Deep gravel over clay and sand |
| Style | Smoky, earthy and perfumed, with silky, fine-grained tannins |
| Aging Potential | 20 to 50 years for the grand vins |
The Haut-Brion Family of Wines
| Wine | What It Is | Why We Like It |
|---|---|---|
| Château Haut-Brion | The First Growth red | Perfumed and savory, with dark fruit, tobacco, smoke and the estate's signature earthy, mineral complexity over ultra-fine tannins. We stock the 2020, 2021 and 2022. |
| Château Haut-Brion Blanc | The white grand vin | One of the rarest and greatest dry whites in the world. Floral, citrus and stony, full-bodied and seamless, with a very long, fine finish. |
| Le Clarence de Haut-Brion | Haut-Brion's second wine | Merlot-led and svelte, with plum, blackberry, tobacco, smoke and warm earth over fine, supple tannins. The most accessible way to taste the Haut-Brion style. |
| Château La Mission Haut-Brion | The neighboring grand vin | Deeper, darker and more powerful than Haut-Brion: dark berries, plum, graphite, violets and smoked tea, with a layered, muscular frame. Several vintages in stock. |
| La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc | La Mission's white | Green melon, apple, flint and stone with lime and pineapple, full-bodied with vivid, energetic acidity. |
| La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion | La Mission's second wine | Earthy, cedary and full of ripe mixed berries, with succulent, approachable tannins and a long, fresh finish. |
Every Haut-Brion family wine currently in stock is listed above, by vintage and format, and new releases appear here automatically.
A Short History of Haut-Brion
Haut-Brion is the oldest of the great Bordeaux estates. Jean de Pontac acquired the land in the 16th century, and by the 1660s "Ho Bryan" was being poured in London, where the diarist Samuel Pepys recorded tasting it in 1663. It was one of the first wines in the world sold under the name of its estate. In 1855 it was ranked a First Growth, the only red wine estate outside the Médoc to receive that honor. The American financier Clarence Dillon bought Haut-Brion in 1935, and his family still owns it today. In 1983 the family also bought Château La Mission Haut-Brion, its historic rival directly across the road.
Haut-Brion vs La Mission Haut-Brion
The two estates face each other in Pessac, on the edge of the city of Bordeaux, and share the same owners and winemaking team, but they are made separately and taste distinct. Haut-Brion is usually more perfumed and refined, with smoky, earthy elegance and silky tannins. La Mission is typically darker, denser and more powerful, with more muscular structure. Collectors often buy both to compare the same vintage side by side.
Second Wines: Le Clarence and La Chapelle
Each estate also makes a second wine from younger vines and lots not selected for the grand vin. Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (formerly called Bahans Haut-Brion) and La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion are made by the same team, from the same terroir, and offer much of the house style at a fraction of the price. They also drink well earlier.
Terroir: The Gravels of Pessac
Graves is named for its gravel, and Haut-Brion sits on some of the deepest gravel beds in the region, over layers of clay and sand. The gravel drains well and stores heat, helping the grapes ripen fully, while the city around the vineyard keeps it a little warmer than the countryside. The result is a distinctive style often described as smoky, earthy, tobacco-scented and mineral, recognizable in blind tastings.
Haut-Brion Price Guide
- Second wines: Le Clarence de Haut-Brion and La Chapelle de La Mission are the entry point to the family, typically from around $120 to $250.
- La Mission Haut-Brion: Usually priced below Haut-Brion, from around $400 to $650 depending on the vintage.
- Château Haut-Brion: From around $750 for recent vintages, with older and great vintages well above.
- The whites: Haut-Brion Blanc and La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc are made in tiny quantities and are among the most expensive dry whites in the world.
Serving and Food Pairing
Decant young vintages of the reds for two to three hours and serve at 60 to 65°F in a large Bordeaux glass. They are superb with roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck, game birds and mushroom dishes. Serve the whites at 50 to 55°F with lobster, turbot, scallops or roast chicken. Explore more top Bordeaux in our Bordeaux collection.
Why Buy Haut-Brion From Mr D Wine?
For wines built to age for decades, provenance and storage matter. Every bottle we sell is kept in temperature-controlled storage until it ships, and our team is happy to help you choose a vintage for drinking now, for the cellar or as a gift.
Frequently Asked Questions About Château Haut-Brion
Is Château Brion the same as Château Haut-Brion?
Yes. "Château Brion" is a common shortened name for Château Haut-Brion, the First Growth estate in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux.
Is Haut-Brion a First Growth?
Yes. Château Haut-Brion was ranked a First Growth in the 1855 Classification, the only red wine estate outside the Médoc to receive that rank.
What is the difference between Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion?
They are neighboring estates with the same owner, Domaine Clarence Dillon, but they are made separately. Haut-Brion is usually more perfumed and refined; La Mission is darker and more powerful.
What is the second wine of Château Haut-Brion?
Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, formerly called Bahans Haut-Brion, is the second wine of Château Haut-Brion. La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion is the second wine of La Mission.
Does Haut-Brion make white wine?
Yes. Château Haut-Brion Blanc and La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc are rare dry whites made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, and among the most sought-after white wines in the world.
How long can Haut-Brion age?
Great vintages of Haut-Brion and La Mission can age for 30 to 50 years or more. Younger vintages benefit from at least 10 to 15 years in the cellar or a long decant.
Where is Château Haut-Brion?
Haut-Brion is in Pessac, on the southwest edge of the city of Bordeaux, in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of the Graves region.
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