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My Rating (circle) :
Date Printed: 5/22/2013
Chateau Haut-Brion 1996
Chateau Haut-Brion 1996
 (search item no. 7421)
collectible wine

Wine Spectator rating: 93 points
International Wine Cellar rating: 92 points
PRICE ON 5/22/2013: $180.49

ratings pedigree (past vintages):
2011 Wine Spectator rating: 96 points
2011 The Wine Advocate rating: 95 points
2011 Wine Enthusiast rating: 95 points
2011 James Suckling rating: 95 points
2011 International Wine Cellar rating: 94 points
2010 The Wine Advocate rating: 100 points
2010 Wine Spectator rating: 99 points
2010 International Wine Cellar rating: 99 points
2010 Wine Enthusiast rating: 97 points
2009 The Wine Advocate rating: 100 points
2009 International Wine Cellar rating: 100 points
2009 James Suckling rating: 100 points
2009 Wine Spectator rating: 98 points
2009 Wine Enthusiast rating: 96 points
2008 The Wine Advocate rating: 96 points
2008 Wine Enthusiast rating: 96 points
2008 International Wine Cellar rating: 93 points
2008 Wine Spectator rating: 92 points
2007 Wine Enthusiast rating: 94 points
2007 International Wine Cellar rating: 94 points
2007 The Wine Advocate rating: 92 points
2007 Wine Spectator rating: 91 points
2006 The Wine Advocate rating: 96 points
2006 Wine Enthusiast rating: 96 points
2006 International Wine Cellar rating: 95 points
2006 Wine Spectator rating: 94 points
2005 Wine Spectator rating: 100 points
2005 The Wine Advocate rating: 98 points
2005 Wine Enthusiast rating: 98 points
2005 Wine & Spirits rating: 98 points
2005 International Wine Cellar rating: 97 points
2004 Wine & Spirits rating: 96 points
2004 Wine Spectator rating: 95 points
2004 The Wine Advocate rating: 92 points
2003 Wine Spectator rating: 96 points
2003 The Wine Advocate rating: 95 points
2002 Wine Spectator rating: 93 points
2001 Wine Spectator rating: 95 points
2001 The Wine Advocate rating: 94 points
2000 The Wine Advocate rating: 99 points
2000 International Wine Cellar rating: 96 points
1999 The Wine Advocate rating: 93 points
1999 International Wine Cellar rating: 92 points
1998 Wine Spectator rating: 97 points
1998 The Wine Advocate rating: 96 points
1998 International Wine Cellar rating: 94 points
1995 The Wine Advocate rating: 96 points
1995 Wine Spectator rating: 94 points
1994 Wine Spectator rating: 94 points
1993 Wine Spectator rating: 91 points
1990 Wine Spectator rating: 96 points
1989 Wine Spectator rating: 100 points
1983 Wine Spectator rating: 88 points
1982 Wine Spectator rating: 95 points
1982 The Wine Advocate rating: 95 points
1981 Wine Spectator rating: 87 points
1966 Wine Spectator rating: 94 points

Winemaker's Notes:

 The 1988 vintage of this wine was ranked #7 on the Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of 1991

A very hot year and also very dry ; such years produce great vintages. Here is what we can say about this wine today : first, the wine shows great concentration of aromas and a lot of mellowness due to lovely tannins and a rather low acidity. A wine with a lot of fitness and harmony. One might compare it to the 1959 for its structure and mellowness. Similar weather conditions produced a rather similar crop.
My Notes:

Additional wines from Chateau Haut-Brion:

About Chateau Haut-Brion:

 Château Haut-Brion is the oldest and by far the smallest of the "Premiers Grands Crus" vineyards of the Gironde 1855 classification. Château Haut-Brion is one of the few remaining family-owned domains of the Bordeaux region with a history going back to the 16th century. It has been owned by the American Dillon family since 1935.