Tech Notes
Wine Details
Decanter
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
Wine Enthusiast
Vinous
Wine Advocate
The Wine Cellar Insider
Jancis Robinson
By Chateau Haut-Brion
2011
Vintage
One of the characteristics of 2011 was an extremely dry spring. Based on the measured rainfall in April, May, and June, this was the driest spring since 1949. Happily, summer brought some rain, which allowed the vines to continue their growth. With a dry September, we were able to harvest in optimal conditions.
Technical Details
Harvest Dates: August 31st to September 27th
Blend: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc
Yield: 37.5 hl/ha
New Barrels: 73%
Alcohol: 13.50%
Bottling Date: June 12th to 14th, 2013
Tasting Notes
Beautiful deep red color. Intense nose of very ripe black fruit with hints of cocoa beans. With aeration, complex, smoky, liquorice aromas typical of Haut-Brion leap out of the glass. The first impression on the palate is very elegant. The wine then quickly builds up power, but not at the expense of smoothness, with rich tannin that blossoms into a beautiful long aftertaste with a great deal of flavor.
[Information provided by Beyerman]
Unit Size | 750.00 ML |
Varietal | Red Blend
|
Vintage | 2011 |
Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc |
Country | France |
Region | Bordeaux
|
Chateau Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, 1er Cru Classe, 2011
Tasted By: Jane Anson (at Bordeaux, 18 Feb 2021)
Part of Bordeaux 2011: The top-rated wines tasted 10 years on
Points: 97
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2045
Producer: Chateau Haut-Brion
Vintage: 2011
Wine Type: Still
Colour: Red
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation: Pessac-Leognan
Sweetness: Dry
Closure: Natural Cork
Alcohol: 13.50%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 19% Cabernet Franc, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot
A serious Haut-Brion, still very much closed. Concentrated with firm tannins, this has real depth to it, showing walls and structure. Beautiful juice starts to seep through the walls after a few moments and this has great potential. It has a tannic frame that softens as it opens, and lets the light in, showing its more elegant side. Cleverly constructed, this is great winemaking, a clear success. [...] Harvest August 31 to September 27.
Chateau Haut-Brion Pessac-Leognan 2011
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Vintage: 2011
Score: 96
Lots of subtle redcurrant and berry character, with flowers and sweet tobacco on the nose. Full body, super-integrated tannins and a light shaved-chocolate, berry and cedar character. A decadence and beauty to this that wakes you up. [...]
Chateau Haut-Brion Pessac-Legnan 2011
Score: 95
Wine Type and Color: Red Still
Accolades: Collectible
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Drinkability: Drink now through 2035
Primary Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Other Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Issue: March 31, 2014
Region: France / Bordeaux / Pessac-Leognan
This packs some serious density for the vintage, with layers of braised fig, blackberry pate de fruit and dark currant paste, all inlaid with lively briar, tobacco leaf and roasted apple wood notes. Shows lots of energy through the finish, with the grip generating a mouthwatering feel. One of the stars of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2035.
Chateau Haut-Brion 2011 Barrel Sample (Pessac-Leognan)
From: Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Rating: 95
Winery: Chateau Haut-Brion
Region: Bordeaux
Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend
Wine Type: Red
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Issue Date: 5/1/2012
94-96. Barrel sample. An impressively silky wine. Dry yet intensely fruity, the palate shows big fruit, smooth tannins and a perfumed character.
Reviewed By: Roger Voss
2011 Haut-Brion
Producer: Haut-Brion
Place of Origin: France, Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux
Color: Red
Grape/Blend: [...] Merlot, [...] Cabernet Sauvignon, [...] Cabernet Franc
Rating: 94
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2045
From: The 2019 Napa Valley Cabernets: A Deep Dive (Jan 2022)
The 2011 Haut-Brion has a really lovely, warm, autumnal nose with red fruit, chestnut, autumn leaves and Earl Grey scents. Very complex. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, a crisp line of acidity, maybe just a little austere on the finish, but there is fine focus with a delicately spiced, slightly medicinal finish. This is an impressive and quite delicious Haut-Brion that should give 20 years more drinking pleasure. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.
By: Neal Martin on September 2021
2011 Haut-Brion
Rating: 94
Producer: Haut-Brion
Wine Region: France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan
Variety: Proprietary blend
Color / Type / Sweetness: Red / Table / Dry
Reviewed By: Neal Martin
Drink Date: 2021 - 2045
Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2011 Haut Brion has always been an excellent Pessac-Leognan, though recent encounters suggest it does not have the potential of the 2012. It has a gentle and caressing bouquet full of copious dark cherry and raspberry fruit, a touch of saddle leather and a seam of dark chocolate emanating from the oak regime, which needs more time to integrate (though it is not an Haut-Brion that is going to demand years and years in bottle). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and feels gentle in the mouth. It is very well balanced, although perhaps the oak comes through too strongly on the finish, when frankly there is no need. Nevertheless, this is a classic Pessac-Leognan - maybe "mild mannered" and a little conservative compared to more ambitious recent vintages, yet there is no doubting its class and pedigree. Tasted December 2016.
Published: Mar 01, 2017
2011 Chateau Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognan)
Points: 94
Smoky dark, red fruits, tobacco, flowers, espresso and caramel scents create the perfume. Refined in style, the wine has soft tannins and a liberal dose of cherry griotte in the elegant finish. Having tasted some lighter vintages of Haut Brion over the past few days, this should develop nicely with 5-10 years of age.
Tasted May 20, 2014
Ch Haut-Brion 2011 Pessac-Leognan
Producer: Ch Haut-Brion
Appellation: Pessac-Leognan
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Colour: Red
Alcohol: 13.50%
Score: 17.5+/20
When to Drink: 2022 - 2038
Published On: 21 Oct 2021
Date Tasted: 7 Oct 2021
Reviewer: Jancis Robinson
Tasted blind. Interesting yeast-extract nose. Solid and chunky. Dominated by tannin at the moment and still with lots in reserve. Lots of interest on the finish.