Jancis Robinson (17)

Full bottle just 1,260 g. Demeter certified. Cask sample taken 2 April. 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec. Average yield was just 18 hl/ha. Aged for 16 months in 300-litre barrels and a 3,000-litre wooden tun. Blackish, concentrated crimson. High-toned nose suggests some subtlety. Lovely supple palate entry – very beguiling and distinctive. Lots of freshness and terroir expression here. The tannins are so ripe you hardly notice them; they creep up on you only at the end. This definitely treads its own path, and delivers what one might call new bordeaux with a fan of subtle flavours at the end. Chapeau.

Wine Advocate (89-91)

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James Suckling (93)

Aromas of dried pineapple, mango, preserved lemon, toasted bread and salted almonds. It’s full-bodied with a layered, intense and nutty palate. Excellent concentration and length. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

Indulge in the exquisite Haut Beychevelle Gloria 1997, a discerning selection from Bordeaux's prestigious Saint-Julien appellation. This distinguished red wine is meticulously crafted from a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grown in the renowned Haut Beychevelle vineyard. The estate, founded in 1645, is celebrated internationally for its wines' distinct elegance and longevity.

The Haut Beychevelle Gloria's 1997 vintage has mellowed exceptionally, revealing velvety tannins and sumptuous flavours of black fruit, truffles, and graphite. A full-bodied, well-structured wine, it remains beautifully balanced, a testament to the skilled winemaking team’s commitment to producing wines of consistent, superior quality. This distinguished Haut Beychevelle Gloria 1997 vintage, exemplifying the captivating nuances of Saint-Julien terroir, is a fitting celebration of an esteemed heritage.

Celebrate your finest moments with the Haut Beychevelle Gloria 1997, a manifestation of centuries-old French winemaking tradition, coveted by connoisseurs globally.

The Haut Beychevelle Gloria 2016 is a stellar representation of Bordeaux's renowned craftsmanship. Produced by the sought-after Domaines Henri Martin, located in the region's heart, this elegant wine encapsulates the estate's commitment to quality. Fruit for the Haut Beychevelle Gloria 2016 is meticulously chosen from the finest Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines, marrying these rich varietals offers exquisite balance and complexity. Following rigorous harvesting, the yielded grapes undergo vinification in thermo-regulated stainless-steel vats, fostering a marriage of modern innovation with traditional winemaking.

The maturation in French oak barrels for a year provides Haut Beychevelle Gloria 2016 its distinct, powerful character. Expect a harmonious medley of ripe red fruits, accented by hints of spices and subtle oak nuances. On the palate, you will experience an unwavering tannic structure, punctuated with meritorious acidity, culminating in a persistent and refine finish. The Haut Beychevelle Gloria 2016 is indeed a Bordeaux masterpiece, deserving of your discerning palate.

Vinous - Neal Martin (98)

It is time that the 1982 Haut-Brion got the respect it deserves. Forever deemed the "least" of the First Growth, that holds no water if this example is anything to go by, the best of a couple of dozen bottles encountered over many years. Amazingly-fresh on the nose, this shimmers with red fruit, black olive, meat juices and incense, gaining vigour with each swirl of the glass. The palate is perfectly balanced with a lovely line of acidity, focused and refined with just a slightly roasted character towards the finish. Harmonious and effortless, it is the kind of claret that leaves you grinning like a Cheshire cat. Tasted at the 1982 Dinner at Hatched.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 1985 Haut-Brion is a vintage that I have not encountered for several years. This has an intense nose with dark berry fruit, wild mint, iris flower and just a touch of garrigues. Complex and entrancing. The palate is medium-bodied with the presence and gravitas you expect from a First Growth. Very harmonious with a silky texture and outstanding minerality and tension, this meliorates in the glass, gaining depth and clarity whilst retaining Graves-like typicité. Perhaps this was an under-estimated First Growth for the vintage. This is drinking supremely well, plus it is cheaper than the '89! Tasted at the 1985 dinner at Noble Rot Mayfair.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 1985 Haut-Brion is a vintage that I have not encountered for several years. This has an intense nose with dark berry fruit, wild mint, iris flower and just a touch of garrigues. Complex and entrancing. The palate is medium-bodied with the presence and gravitas you expect from a First Growth. Very harmonious with a silky texture and outstanding minerality and tension, this meliorates in the glass, gaining depth and clarity whilst retaining Graves-like typicité. Perhaps this was an under-estimated First Growth for the vintage. This is drinking supremely well, plus it is cheaper than the '89! Tasted at the 1985 dinner at Noble Rot Mayfair.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 1985 Haut-Brion is a vintage that I have not encountered for several years. This has an intense nose with dark berry fruit, wild mint, iris flower and just a touch of garrigues. Complex and entrancing. The palate is medium-bodied with the presence and gravitas you expect from a First Growth. Very harmonious with a silky texture and outstanding minerality and tension, this meliorates in the glass, gaining depth and clarity whilst retaining Graves-like typicité. Perhaps this was an under-estimated First Growth for the vintage. This is drinking supremely well, plus it is cheaper than the '89! Tasted at the 1985 dinner at Noble Rot Mayfair.

Wine Advocate (93)

Tasted at the château, the 1986 Haut Brion is a vintage that I had not tasted for some time. It is a blend of 28% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 62% Cabernet Sauvignon according to the chateau's records. Mirroring the 1996 La Mission, in this vintage that Haut-Brion occupies a higher quality level, with more complexity and vivacity on the nose: dusky black fruit, warm gravel, terracotta and cigar humidor. Lovely! The palate is very well balanced, maybe a little rustic compared to recent vintages, yet with firm body and grip. It's the kind of gruff, almost surly, broad-shouldered 1986s that might be a little curmudgeonly compared to 1985 or 1989, however after 30 years you are compensated with plenty of freshness and focus. I don't think it ranks up there with the best of the First Growth...that would come in other vintages, but it still provides plenty of drinking pleasure for those who love their classic claret with capital C. Tasted July 2016.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

A legendary wine, and one that I have only tried twice in my life (and this time thanks to a generous friend in London). It's always a bit nerve-racking to uncork bottles that have so much history resting on their shoulders, but it more than lived up to billing. I hesitate to give a 'drink to' date, as this particular bottle has proved stubbornly long-living, despite 1989 being such a hot and dry year, and a number of them now on their final innings. It is very clearly in its tertiary phase, with saffron, tobacco and roasted earth notes, but there is still fruit here, and an explosion of cigar box, rose petal and liqourice aromatics. I'm not suggesting that this is easy to get hold of, but if you are able to, take your time with it, and share it with friends who will enjoy it as much as you will do.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

A legendary wine, and one that I have only tried twice in my life (and this time thanks to a generous friend in London). It's always a bit nerve-racking to uncork bottles that have so much history resting on their shoulders, but it more than lived up to billing. I hesitate to give a 'drink to' date, as this particular bottle has proved stubbornly long-living, despite 1989 being such a hot and dry year, and a number of them now on their final innings. It is very clearly in its tertiary phase, with saffron, tobacco and roasted earth notes, but there is still fruit here, and an explosion of cigar box, rose petal and liqourice aromatics. I'm not suggesting that this is easy to get hold of, but if you are able to, take your time with it, and share it with friends who will enjoy it as much as you will do.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

A legendary wine, and one that I have only tried twice in my life (and this time thanks to a generous friend in London). It's always a bit nerve-racking to uncork bottles that have so much history resting on their shoulders, but it more than lived up to billing. I hesitate to give a 'drink to' date, as this particular bottle has proved stubbornly long-living, despite 1989 being such a hot and dry year, and a number of them now on their final innings. It is very clearly in its tertiary phase, with saffron, tobacco and roasted earth notes, but there is still fruit here, and an explosion of cigar box, rose petal and liqourice aromatics. I'm not suggesting that this is easy to get hold of, but if you are able to, take your time with it, and share it with friends who will enjoy it as much as you will do.

The Wine Cellar Insider (99)

Just a hair's breadth away from the legendary 1989, this is one of those mesmerizing wines. The wine is concentrated, long, deep, complex, and expansive, with incredible, length, purity, volume, refinement, and a seamless finish that is close to the 60-second mark. Just entering its prime, it is only going to get better from here for at least 2-3 more decades.

Jancis Robinson (18.5)

Just lovely wine, and the only one that was not dominated by a single variety, being a Cabernet/Merlot blend. Excellent lustrous, nuanced ruby.. Clearly a very fine mature wine. Strong liquorice notes (Haut-Brion 'warm bricks' earthiness?) For a second I wondered if it was a 1998 Hermitage. Very complex. Spread across the palate. My guess is that no one dared guess it was a first growth but we were looking for appreciation in the comments box...

Wine Advocate (95)

While in some vintages La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion can be close in quality, that is not the case in this vintage. The 1996 Haut-Brion, a blend of 50% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc is clearly on a higher plane than the La Mission. There is something much more expansive and complete on the nose: greater depth of fruit, more harmonious with scents of underbrush, tar, black olive and this bottle perhaps less feral than I have noticed on previous examples. The palate is very well balanced with dark cherries, sous-bois and cedar. This is one vintage where I think the Cabernet Franc plays an important role and lends more complexity. This is a 1996 that has retained and built upon beguiling fleshiness and it will continue to evolve with style and panache. Tasted July 2016.

Wine Advocate (95)

While in some vintages La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion can be close in quality, that is not the case in this vintage. The 1996 Haut-Brion, a blend of 50% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc is clearly on a higher plane than the La Mission. There is something much more expansive and complete on the nose: greater depth of fruit, more harmonious with scents of underbrush, tar, black olive and this bottle perhaps less feral than I have noticed on previous examples. The palate is very well balanced with dark cherries, sous-bois and cedar. This is one vintage where I think the Cabernet Franc plays an important role and lends more complexity. This is a 1996 that has retained and built upon beguiling fleshiness and it will continue to evolve with style and panache. Tasted July 2016.

Wine Advocate (99)

Still incredibly youthful and sporting a lot of fruit, the deep garnet-brick colored 1998 Haut-Brion sashays out of the glass with flamboyant red and black fruits, followed by a train of cassis, blueberry pie and chocolate box notions plus accents of iron ore, dried lavender and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully rich and decadently seductive in its generosity of fruit and velvety texture, offering seamless freshness and finishing with epic length and compelling minerality. Oh so delicious right now, with careful cellaring it should continue to excite through 2045 and beyond.

Wine Advocate (99)

Still incredibly youthful and sporting a lot of fruit, the deep garnet-brick colored 1998 Haut-Brion sashays out of the glass with flamboyant red and black fruits, followed by a train of cassis, blueberry pie and chocolate box notions plus accents of iron ore, dried lavender and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully rich and decadently seductive in its generosity of fruit and velvety texture, offering seamless freshness and finishing with epic length and compelling minerality. Oh so delicious right now, with careful cellaring it should continue to excite through 2045 and beyond.