Winemaker Notes
The color is very deep, almost purple. Very fresh nose with lots of aromatic purity. Oak is present on the nose but it is well integrated in the fruit. On the palate the wine is very constructed with a more modern smoothness and sensuality than the previous vintages. Plenty of volume on the mid-palate with tight-knit but very ripe tannins. A very successful wine that needs re-tasting after the bottling
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Just on the edge of the urban sprawl of Bordeaux, this estate has managed to retain its vineyard despite the housing pressure. This year it is beautifully structured, dense and very stylish. Black-currant fruit, some firm tannins and balance make this wine so attractive.
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James Suckling
Attractive dark blackcurrants, violets, cedar and loganberries with hints of spiced raisins. There’s ample depth to the fine tannins. Bright, effusive dark fruit flavors with a light finish.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Recognized for its superior reds as well as whites, Pessac-Léognan on the Left Bank claims classified growths for both—making it quite unique in comparison to its neighboring Médoc properties.
Pessac’s Chateau Haut-Brion, the only first growth located outside of the Médoc, is said to have been the first to conceptualize fine red wine in Bordeaux back in the late 1600s. The estate, along with its high-esteemed neighbors, La Mission Haut-Brion, Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Pique-Caillou and Chateau Pape-Clément are today all but enveloped by the city of Bordeaux. The rest of the vineyards of Pessac-Léognan are in clearings of heavily forested area or abutting dense suburbs.
Arid sand and gravel on top of clay and limestone make the area unique and conducive to growing Sémillon and Sauvignon blanc as well as the grapes in the usual Left Bank red recipe: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and miniscule percentages of Petit Verdot and Malbec.
The best reds will show great force and finesse with inky blue and black fruit, mushroom, forest, tobacco, iodine and a smooth and intriguing texture.
Its best whites show complexity, longevity and no lack of exotic twists on citrus, tropical and stone fruit with pronounced floral and spice characteristics.