Description
98 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): “(65.5% Merlot, 32.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc). Whiff of gunsmoke reduction, opening up to show concentrated dark berry fruit with liqourice, pencil lead, campfire and black truffle. Stately and muscular, a brilliant counterpoint to the grace of La Mission Haut-Brion. Grips the palate, this is one of the highest alcohol wines in the vintage and yet it is balanced, with so much flavour and presence that just fills the palate and hangs on. I remember loving this En Primeur, and at the 10 years on mark it remains one of the wines of the vintage. 100% new oak. Drink: 2024-2044. (3/3/22)”
97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): “Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Haut-Brion leaps with vibrant blackcurrant cordial, preserved plums, tar, and licorice scents, followed by touches of graphite, dried roses, and cardamom plus a hint of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, firm, and very fine-grained, it has loads of savory and mineral layers leading to a long, decadently rich, fruity finish on this very pure and youthful wine. The blend is 65% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol 15%. Drink: 2022-2055. (2/16/23)”
97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): “A big, powerful wine, the 2012 Haut-Brion possesses stunning richness and intensity, with all of the depth that is lacking in so many other wines in this vintage. Not here. The 2012 possesses remarkable depth and tons of raw, animal power that is going to require considerable time in bottle to soften. Readers should be in no rush; the 2012 Haut-Brion is a wine for the ages. Smoke, graphite, dried herbs and blue/purplish stone fruits grace the exotic, alluring finish. Drink: 2027-2052. (Jan 2016)”
97 points/’Cellar Selection,’ Wine Enthusiast: “This wine encompasses all the star qualities of white Bordeaux. Lemon and grapefruit tones are balanced by ripe yellow fruit and spicy toastiness. Everything is in harmony in this wine that is sure to age well. Drink from 2019. Alcohol 14%. (May 2015)”
97 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): “A clear candidate for the wine of the vintage, there is a richness and depth of flavor not found in most wines from this difficult vintage. Full-bodied, with layers of dark, smoky, spiced, tobacco-stained red fruits, ample tannin, and structure for aging as well as ample length and complexity in the finish, give this another 5-7 years in the cellar before opening a bottle. Drink from 2027-2050. (Jul 2022)”
96+ points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): “Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 Haut-Brion has an open and generous bouquet with blackcurrant pastille, cassis and briary aromas the exude very pure Merlot. The palate is medium-bodied with a sumptuous opening that is rare in 2012: rounded and generous, caressing in the mouth with black plum and blackcurrant towards the finish, residues of truffle and white pepper lingering on the aftertaste that turn very savory after 15 minutes—bacon fat or Italian cured meats. There is a lot to love about this Haut-Brion although in this blind showing I scored it the same as La Mission Haut-Brion. Who will stick their neck out as the two wines mature? Tasted January 2016. Drink: 2022-2055. (Oct 2016)”
96 points Decanter: “This is a gorgeous, voluptuous wine, sweet as a nut all the way through. Red fruits on the nose with hints of licuorice and coffee. The high proportion of Merlot (65.5%) brings extra richness. Drink 2022-2042. (2022)”
96 points James Suckling: “Amazing aromas of wet stones, earth, currants and berries. Subtle and complex. Full body and a beautiful core of ripe fruit on the palate and the finish. Round, light, chewy tannins. Needs at least four or five years to open. This is the most merlot ever in Haut-Brion. Rich too. One of the wines of the vintage. 65.5% merlot, 32.5% cabernet sauvignon and 2% cabernet franc. Better in 2020. (2/9/15)”
95 points Wine Spectator: “This combines power and refinement, with a singed alder frame around a dense core of red and black currant, plum and blackberry fruit. Notes of bay, black tea and tar line the finish. Has a lovely, fine-grained feel that lets the dark, hefty fruit drape beautifully. The tobacco element hangs in the background. Sneakily long. Best from 2018 through 2030. (3/31/15)”
98 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): “(65.5% Merlot, 32.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc). Whiff of gunsmoke reduction, opening up to show concentrated dark berry fruit with liqourice, pencil lead, campfire and black truffle. Stately and muscular, a brilliant counterpoint to the grace of La Mission Haut-Brion. Grips the palate, this is one of the highest alcohol wines in the vintage and yet it is balanced, with so much flavour and presence that just fills the palate and hangs on. I remember loving this En Primeur, and at the 10 years on mark it remains one of the wines of the vintage. 100% new oak. Drink: 2024-2044. (3/3/22)”
97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): “Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Haut-Brion leaps with vibrant blackcurrant cordial, preserved plums, tar, and licorice scents, followed by touches of graphite, dried roses, and cardamom plus a hint of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, firm, and very fine-grained, it has loads of savory and mineral layers leading to a long, decadently rich, fruity finish on this very pure and youthful wine. The blend is 65% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol 15%. Drink: 2022-2055. (2/16/23)”
97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): “A big, powerful wine, the 2012 Haut-Brion possesses stunning richness and intensity, with all of the depth that is lacking in so many other wines in this vintage. Not here. The 2012 possesses remarkable depth and tons of raw, animal power that is going to require considerable time in bottle to soften. Readers should be in no rush; the 2012 Haut-Brion is a wine for the ages. Smoke, graphite, dried herbs and blue/purplish stone fruits grace the exotic, alluring finish. Drink: 2027-2052. (Jan 2016)”
97 points/’Cellar Selection,’ Wine Enthusiast: “This wine encompasses all the star qualities of white Bordeaux. Lemon and grapefruit tones are balanced by ripe yellow fruit and spicy toastiness. Everything is in harmony in this wine that is sure to age well. Drink from 2019. Alcohol 14%. (May 2015)”
97 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): “A clear candidate for the wine of the vintage, there is a richness and depth of flavor not found in most wines from this difficult vintage. Full-bodied, with layers of dark, smoky, spiced, tobacco-stained red fruits, ample tannin, and structure for aging as well as ample length and complexity in the finish, give this another 5-7 years in the cellar before opening a bottle. Drink from 2027-2050. (Jul 2022)”
96+ points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): “Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 Haut-Brion has an open and generous bouquet with blackcurrant pastille, cassis and briary aromas the exude very pure Merlot. The palate is medium-bodied with a sumptuous opening that is rare in 2012: rounded and generous, caressing in the mouth with black plum and blackcurrant towards the finish, residues of truffle and white pepper lingering on the aftertaste that turn very savory after 15 minutes—bacon fat or Italian cured meats. There is a lot to love about this Haut-Brion although in this blind showing I scored it the same as La Mission Haut-Brion. Who will stick their neck out as the two wines mature? Tasted January 2016. Drink: 2022-2055. (Oct 2016)”
96 points Decanter: “This is a gorgeous, voluptuous wine, sweet as a nut all the way through. Red fruits on the nose with hints of licuorice and coffee. The high proportion of Merlot (65.5%) brings extra richness. Drink 2022-2042. (2022)”
96 points James Suckling: “Amazing aromas of wet stones, earth, currants and berries. Subtle and complex. Full body and a beautiful core of ripe fruit on the palate and the finish. Round, light, chewy tannins. Needs at least four or five years to open. This is the most merlot ever in Haut-Brion. Rich too. One of the wines of the vintage. 65.5% merlot, 32.5% cabernet sauvignon and 2% cabernet franc. Better in 2020. (2/9/15)”
95 points Wine Spectator: “This combines power and refinement, with a singed alder frame around a dense core of red and black currant, plum and blackberry fruit. Notes of bay, black tea and tar line the finish. Has a lovely, fine-grained feel that lets the dark, hefty fruit drape beautifully. The tobacco element hangs in the background. Sneakily long. Best from 2018 through 2030. (3/31/15)”
| Product SKU | 342375 |
| Producer | Haut-Brion |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| SubRegion | Left Bank |
| Appellation | Pessac-Léognan |
| Varietal | Cabernet/Bordeaux Blends |
| Designation | First Growth |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 65.5% Merlot, 32.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc |
| ABV | 14.0% |
| Ships To |
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