Berry Bros – 2019 En Primeur: Chx. Haut-Brion & La Mission wines
In what is proving to be one of the busiest En Primeur weeks in recent years, I’m delighted to present the next major release, and it’s a cracker. Today we have the much anticipated sortie of Ch. Haut-Brion and Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion, as well as the rest of their entire stable.
Overview:
Ch. Haut-Brion is priced at £897 per 3 bottle case in bond, a discount of 27% to last year’s 2018 release, placing it firmly amongst the cheapest vintages available and, given The Wine Advocate score of 97-99+ points, a long way inside the ‘fair value curve’ regression analysis from Liv-Ex.
Ch. La Mission Haut-Brion offers a further compelling proposition at £564 per 3 bottle case in bond. Discounted 25% from last year’s 2018 release price. Given The Wine Advocate score of 98-100 points, this is a massive distance inside the aforementioned ‘fair value curve’, seen by many to be a ‘must buy’ and another contender for the famed ‘wine of the vintage’ moniker.
Potential Demand and Allocation
This makes these two wines amongst the most attractive big name Chateaux of the campaign, and as with the other well priced 2019s, we expect demand here to be extremely high. Please be aware that the quantities available are very limited, and we will be required to allocate. Do let me know as soon as you can if you would like to be considered for an allocation and I shall try my best for you.
The ‘First’ Wines:
2019 Ch. Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan
£897 per 3 bottle case in bond
£1,800 per 3 magnum case in bond
£1,226 per Double Magnum in bond
£2,430 per Imperial in bond
“The 2019 Haut-Brion is a blend of 48.7% Merlot, 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.1% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 10th of September to the 3rd of October. The estimated label alcohol degree is 14.5%. Displaying a deep garnet-purple color, it comes off incredibly shy and reticent to begin, needing considerable coaxing to reveal notes of dark chocolate-covered cherries, blackberry preserves, woodsmoke and sandalwood, before launching into a full-scale fireworks display of iron ore, cumin seed, redcurrant jelly, red roses, oolong tea and Sichuan pepper scents plus a waft of cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers the most exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins with a lively backbone of freshness supporting the tightly wound, earth-laced black fruit layers, finishing very long and minerally. This is one of the most finely structured, tightly knit wines of the vintage. Given time, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it goes atomic and eventually takes top place for the vintage.”
97-99+/100. Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate
“Powerful and confident, there is no mistaking this concentration of ripe damson and black cherry fruits, set against coffee, earth, sage and black chocolate. Tons of tannins on display but extremely fine, to the point that you almost don’t notice them, then once the wine has left your mouth you suddenly realise how many there are, and how they are still exerting a pressure. Great persistency, slowing everything down and asking you to stop and think. Clear ageing ability here. Harvest September 10 to October 3. Drinking Window 2029 – 2050.” 97/100. Jane Anson, Decanter
Ch. La Mission Haut-Brion has pulled a blinder in 2019, both in terms of the brilliant value release price and the stunning quality of the liquid, with Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW of The Wine Advocate awarding a potential 100-point score and calling this “a prodigious wine of indisputable beauty”:
2019 Ch. La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan
£564 per 3 bottle case in bond
£1,134 per 3 magnum case in bond
£782 per Double Magnum in bond
£1,542 per Imperial in bond
£2,336 per Salmanazar in bond
“The 2019 La Mission Haut-Brion is composed of 53% Merlot, 39.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7.5% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 11th of September to the 2nd of October. The estimated label alcohol degree is 14.5%. Very deep purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal a beguiling perfume of violets, Black Forest cake, wild blueberries and kirsch with nuances of star anise, cast-iron pan, pencil lead and crushed rocks plus a waft of wild sage. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with layers of black fruit, earth and floral-laced flavors, framed by exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and compelling freshness, finishing with great length and loads of mineral sparks. A wine of impeccable breeding, both decadently flamboyant and provocatively graceful, this is already a prodigious wine of indisputable beauty.”
98-100/100. Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate
“Wonderful depth of flavour, a signature of this château that is just so elegant but is always happy to oblige in delivering delightfully sappy, seductive, gently spiced fruit. Cigar box and tobacco notes, floral peony and iris aromatics. Great second wave of aromatics that is striking and increases the density and width of the palate. Oak already feels integrated even at this early stage. 50% 1st wine.
Drinking Window 2028 – 2044.”
96/100. Jane Anson, Decanter
Overview – The Second Wines & White Wines:
Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan – is the second wine of Haut-Brion itself and truly resembles its big brother, especially in a strong vintage like 2019. Considered one of the best second wines in Bordeaux it’s not only difficult to obtain but is often snapped up eagerly on release by those in the know.
La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan – is electric on the palette with more red fruit notes than its older sibling. This is one for drinking whilst you wait for the La Mission Grand Vin to develop in the cellar.
Ch. Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Léognan – is arguably the most famous of Bordeaux’s dry white wines. Produced in miniscule quantities from a 2.8-hectare vineyard. This is incredibly special, sought after and difficult to obtain both on release and with bottle age. Older vintages will always be in demand.
Ch. La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Léognan – known for its intense lemon curd and lime leaf qualities in its youth with potential to cellar for many decades. Produced from just 3.5 hectares, this is the rival to Haut-Brion Blanc.
La Clarté de Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Léognan – and finally, last, but not least, the second white wine of both properties blended together.
The Second Wines:
2019 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan
£579 per 6 bottle case in bond
£585 per 3 magnum case in bond
Other formats available on request
“The 2019 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a blend of 72.8% Merlot, 16.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10.9% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 10th of September to the 3rd of October. The estimated label alcohol degree is 15%. With a deep garnet-purple color, it springs from the glass with vivacious notes of crushed black and red plums, redcurrant jelly and wild blueberries plus suggestions of forest floor, lilacs, black olives and menthol. The medium to full-bodied palate practically quivers with energy, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering aniseed note. Simply delicious!”
92-94/100. Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate
“This is a pretty serious and structured Clarence, with firm tannins that give walls and form to the wine overall. Has depth and character to the black fruits and is one where the Merlot character is almost masquerading as Cabernet Sauvignon. Great quality, with ageing potential and one that gives a real step towards the first wine. Drinking Window 2023 – 2040.”
93/100. Jane Anson, Decanter
2019 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan
£255 per 6 bottle case in bond
£261 per 3 magnum case in bond
Other formats available on request
“The 2019 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion is composed of 50.1% Merlot, 45.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4.4% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 11th of September to the 2nd of October. The estimated label alcohol degree is 14.5%. Deep garnet-purple in color, it prances out of the glass with showy notes of crushed black cherries, warm blueberries and mulberries plus suggestions of cinnamon toast, aniseed, lilacs and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with poise and sophistication, offering a gentle earthy underpinning to all that black fruit, framed by fine-grained tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy.”
92-94/100. Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate
“Intense but subtle, with high aromatics. Loaded with flavour and sap, extremely juicy, savoury but welcoming. Fruit-forward with a creamy texture, this has the elegance that you want from La Chapelle, the sappy fruit that you want to share, and is a great 2nd steppingstone to La Mission. Last year had less Merlot but it works here, giving charm, elegance and mouth-watering appeal. Harvest finished October 4. 27% of production. Drinking Window 2024 – 2040.”
93/100. Jane Anson, Decanter
The White Wines
2019 Ch. Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Léognan
£3,360 per 6 bottle case in bond
£3,366 per 3 magnum case in bond
Other formats available on request
“This Haut-Brion 2019 Blanc is a blend of 64.4% Sauvignon Blanc and 35.6% Semillon, harvested from the 29th of August to the 9th of September. The estimated label alcohol degree is 14%. The nose is quite subdued to begin, soon unfurling to offer fragrant scents of orange blossoms, white peaches and lime cordial with hints of oyster shell, fresh ginger, pomelo and kumquat plus a suggestion of jasmine. The medium to full-bodied palate has a seducing hint of oiliness texturing the intense citrus and chalky layers, lifted by bold freshness and finishing with incredible length and perfume. Just stunning.”
96-98+/100. Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate
“Clear difference in personality from La Mission Blanc, tons of rich texture, but more pulled together, with the Sauvignon making its mark. Feels poised at exactly the right level of ripeness, where there is so much flavour, it drips with citrus and nectarine alongside hints of green leaf and juice. One to savour, a brilliant Haut Brion Blanc with mouth-watering salinity on the finish.
Drinking Window 2021 – 2036.”
97/100. Jane Anson, Decanter
2019 Ch. La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Léognan
£2,700 per 6 bottle case in bond
Other formats available on request
“The La Mission Haut-Brion 2019 Blanc is composed of 69.9% Semillon and 30.1% Sauvignon Blanc, harvested from the 30th of August until the 10th of September. The estimated label alcohol degree is 14%. Notions of freshly squeezed limes, grapefruit juice and white peaches come wafting out of the glass followed by suggestions of yuzu zest, coriander seed, underripe pineapple, wet pebbles and green mango with a touch of fennel. The medium to full-bodied palate offers layer upon layer of citrus fruits and mineral accents wrapped in a beautiful satiny texture and featuring seamless freshness, finishing long and chalky.”
94-96+/100. Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate
“A wonderful La Mission with a creamy feel through the core of the wine, and a saline tang on the finish that gives form and shape to the white pear and ripe nectarine fruits. Great grip, expansion and rise, hard to argue with the confident and mouthwatering delivery of this white.
Drinking Window 2021 – 2038.”
96/100. Jane Anson, Decanter
2019 La Clarté de Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Léognan
£327 per case of 6 bottles In Bond
Other formats available on request
“La Clarté de Haut-Brion is the second wine of both Haut-Brion Blanc and La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, produced from the declassified selections from both estates. This vintage is a blend of 51.7% Sauvignon Blanc and 48.3% Semillon, harvested from the 29th of August to the 10th of September. The estimated label alcohol degree is 13.5%. The 2019 La Clarté de Haut-Brion needs just a little swirling and coaxing to begin to shake loose lovely scents of Golden Delicious apple, ripe peaches and lemongrass with nuances of allspice, white pepper and shaved almonds. The medium-bodied palate offers a great intensity of spiced stone fruit flavors along with a satiny texture and seamless freshness, finishing savory.”
90-92/100. Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate
“Wonderfully juicy frame. This feels subtle at first, but the aromatics blossom quickly and in fact there is a real fist of white pepper and juicy stone fruits. Builds with care and attention, and the slate texture increases through the palate. First time in history they picked the Sémillon before Sauvignon Blanc. Harvest 29 August to September 9. Yields were 60hl/ha, after 45hl/ha last year, so extremely plentiful. Drinking Window 2020 – 2028.”
92/100. Jane Anson, Decanter
Please do let us know if you would like any of the above.
Kind regards,
Ian O’Kane
Fine Wine Sales (Ireland)
Berry Bros. & Rudd
28-32 Pembroke Street, Dublin 2
T: +353 1906 5326
M: +353 (0)86 601 4722
www.bbr.com
