Two magnum bottles of Château Haut-Brion
1993 vintage
Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux/France
Original filling quantity: 1.5 l
Fill level: < 3 cm
Robert Parker: 90/100 (2003)
Wine Spectator: 91/100 (1997)
Jean-Marc Quarin: 90/100 (2004)
René Gabriel: 17/20 (2013)
Falstaff: 90/100 (2012)

This lot comprises two magnum bottles of 1993 vintage Château Haut-Brion, the only Premier Cru (first growth) from the Pessac-Léognan appellation.

The appellation of Pessac Léognan is part of the Graves wine region, south of the city of Bordeaux. Vines thrive on Ice Age gravel terraces, producing first-class, mineral red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and some Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. Aside from Château Haut-Brion, the region’s iconic Premier cru classé, Pape-Clément and Smith Haut-Lafite are the leading wine growers of the region. The appellation is also the home of intense, powerful dry white wines. Cuvées made from Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon are aromatic and structurally characterized by Sauvignon blanc.

Although it rained occasionally in Bordeaux during 1993, the vintage is today viewed as being underrated and full of surprises, albeit somewhat precocious. This wine will already taste delicious, especially as it is one magnum bottle, but a few more years in the cellar will not do any harm at all.

The 1993 vintage Château Haut-Brion was awarded 90 points by American wine critic Robert Parker in 2003. In 1997, Wine Spectator magazine scored it at 91, whilst Falstaff wine journal rated it a 90 in 2012. French critic Jean-Marc Quarin also gave the wine 90 points in 2004. Swiss Bordeaux expert René Gabriel rated the wine 17 out of 20 points in 2013.

The fill level is excellent (< 3 cm). The label is slightly soiled; the capsule is in perfect condition.

Château Haut-Brion

Château Haut-Brion is one of the most renowned wine estates in the world. It was acquired by C. Douglas Dillon, who later became United States Secretary of the Treasury, and has been owned by his family ever since. It has been run by the Delmas family since 1921 and is now in its third generation under their management. Construction of the estate began in 1549, and it is the oldest of the four Châteaux that were classified as Premier Cru Classé at the 1855 world exhibition in Paris. Earlier, it was officially located on the edge of Bordeaux, before the city boundaries expanded to include the vineyard. The microclimate of the estate plays a considerable role in the unmistakable taste of the wine it produces.

The vineyard area of Haut-Brion spans 48.35 hectares, planted with 45 % Merlot, 40 % Caberet Sauvignon and 15 % Cabernet Franc. The wine matures in oak barrels over a period of 18 to 22 months. On average, 10,000 to 12,000 cases of Château Haut-Brion’s first wine are produced every year.

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.