By Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion
Red Pessac-Leognan

The Vintage
Harvest Dates: From September 27th to October 15th
Aging: Air-conditioned cellar, traditional racking; 14 to 18 months in 40% new oak barrels

Weather Conditions
Mild winter. Very cold start to spring, with an episode of frost on April 7 and 8, mainly affecting the Merlot plots. Rainy May, hot and dry period at the end of May, allowing flowering in excellent conditions. From mid-June to mid-August, stormy and unstable climatic conditions. Mid-August, dry weather.

The Vineyard
Surface Area: 61 ha
Soil: Deep gravel with a clay texture
Average Vine Age: 35 years
Harvest: Manual at optimum maturity, transport of grapes in baskets, hand sorting before destemming, and Pellenc optical sorting before crushing
Sorting: Optical

Vinification
The analytical profiles of the 2021 red grapes have led us to modify the extraction process compared to the last 3 vintages. We have started punching down from the first day of maceration until mid-fermentation to extract as much anthocyanin potential as possible and to have the tannins of the skin reach perfect maturity. Twelve days of maceration, depending on the qualities, to round out the tannins. In the end, 2021 offers fresh, structured profiles with good aging potential.

Tasting Notes
Dark, vivid ruby. The nose appears very straight and fresh, with notes of black fruits (crushed blackcurrant), licorice, green pepper, and menthol. Very elegant. Sapid, well-balanced palate enveloped in velvety, ripe tannins. Long and satin-like, delicious.
[Information provided by Beyerman]

Wine: Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2021 Pessac-Leognan
Score/Rating: 95 - Editors’ Choice
Suggested Drinking Window: From 2027
Review Date: 04/01/2024
Reviewed By: Roger Voss
Tasting Notes: This is a large 150-acre estate that has produced a balanced, spicy wine with rich tannins and generous black fruits. It is a dense wine, its tannins and solid structure coming from the high proportion [...] of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Drink this fine wine from 2027.

Wine: 2021 Larrivet Haut-Brion
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2026 - 2041
Review Date: 12/2023
Reviewed By: Antonio Galloni
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Larrivet Haut-Brion is a very classy, elegant wine. Crushed flowers, tobacco, spice, mint, dried rose petals and a kick of orange peel all grace this exquisite, understated Pessac-Leognan. All the elements are impeccably balanced. Silky tannins and floral top notes grace the persistent, delineated finish.

Wine: 2021 Larrivet Haut-Brion Rouge
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2032
Review Date: 04/23/2024
Reviewed By: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Larrivet Haut-Brion has a deep garnet-purple color. It swans out of the glass with graceful scents of raspberry coulis and crushed blackcurrants, followed by hints of violets, cinnamon stick, and fallen leaves. The light to medium-bodied palate is soft-textured and lively, with beautifully poised red fruits and a spicy finish.

Wine: 2021 Chateau Larrivet-Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognan)
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2042
Review Date: 03/09/2024
Tasting Notes: Smoke, cigar box, cocoa, flowers and black cherries permeate the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh, lifted, medium-bodied, elegant, and refined, finishing with sweet, ripe, cherries, and red plums with a sprig of chocolate mint that shows up on the backend. The wine is made from [...] Cabernet Sauvignon, [...] Cabernet Franc and [...] Merlot. Drink from 2025-2042.

Wine: Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, 2021
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2035
Review Date: 11/30/2023
Reviewed By: Georgina Hindle
Tasting Notes: Tight nose, liquorice, slate, black chocolate, herbal and perfumed notes. Sleek and bright, quite a straight style but with lovely juiciness and freshness, almost tart but stays the right side with pep and bite to the fruit. It has some power and concentration in the touches of heat and cinnamon on the tongue but keeps its shape and focus from start to finish. Will be great for easy enjoyment and early drinking. Ends with a stony and menthol element.

Wine: 2021 Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion
Score/Rating: 91
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2039
Review Date: 04/03/2024
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Notes: [...] It's a beautiful, outstanding effort from this estate that has lots of red and black fruit as well floral, minty, cedary herb-like aromas and flavors. It's medium-bodied, has an elegant, lively mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a good finish. It's an outstanding Graves to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years or so.

Wine: Chateau Larrivet-Haut-Brion Pessac-Leognan 2021
Score/Rating: 91
Review Date: 12/14/2023
Reviewed By: Claire Nesbitt
Tasting Notes: This is showing notes of dried herbs, tapenade and black berry fruit. It’s medium-bodied, juicy and savory, with fine-grained tannins and a fresh finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. [...].

Wine: 2021 Larrivet Haut-Brion Larrivet Haut-Brion
Score/Rating: 88
Review Date: 02/08/2024
Reviewed By: Yohan Castaing
Tasting Notes: [...] Evoking aromas of flowers, iris, violet and a touch of green pepper, it’s tense and straight with an austere grip that segues into a carnal finish. I suspect the presence of Brettanomyces in this wine, characterized by meaty hints and a rather firm finish.

Wine: Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion Pessac-Leognan 2021
Score/Rating: 88
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink now through 2029
Review Date: 01/01/2024
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Tasting Notes: Shows gently mulled dark cherry and red currant fruit flavors, with tea, sandalwood and savory hints bringing range. Delivers silky persistence on the finish too, despite its more demure nature, all while avoiding the vintage's Achilles' heel of grainy, weedy austerity. [...]. Drink now through 2029.

Wine: Ch Larrivet Haut-Brion 2021 Pessac-Leognan
Score/Rating: 16/20
Suggested Drinking Window: 2028 - 2038
Review Date: 11/20/2023
Reviewed By: Julia Harding MW
Tasting Notes: [...]. Deep crimson. Fragrant with cassis leaf and bud, inviting. Elegant, dry, fine-grained tannins and with the fruit to match. Well made in a difficult vintage and with the purity of Cabernet still shining.