Château Haut‑Brion – Pessac‑Léognan & Graves: Premier Cru of history & contemporary excellence

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Founded in 1525, Château Haut-Brion embodies a unique alliance of centuries-old heritage and visionary innovation. On its deep gravel soils in Aÿ, the estate crafts wines of remarkable precision, silky texture, and racy mineral tension — sought after worldwide for their legendary aging potential.

Pessac-Léognan – Graves, Bordeaux

Château Haut-Brion: a living legend of Bordeaux

An undisputed symbol of Bordeaux excellence, Château Haut-Brion is more than an estate — it is an institution. Founded in 1525 by Jean de Pontac, this historic cru is the oldest of the Premiers Grands Crus Classés of 1855. Today owned by Domaine Clarence Dillon and chaired by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, it masterfully combines centuries of heritage with forward-thinking innovation.

The technical direction is led by Jean-Philippe Delmas, supported by Pascal Baratié (vineyard manager) and Jean-Philippe Masclef (cellar master), guardians of a unique savoir-faire.

Terroir & Grape Varieties — The soul of Pessac-Léognan

Nestled on the gentle slopes of Pessac-Léognan, the estate covers 51 ha of red and 2.9 ha of white. Deep gravel mixed with clay, sand, and limestone forms a perfectly drained terroir peaking at 27 meters, ensuring even ripening and exceptional aromatic precision.

Red Varieties	Proportion
Merlot	45%
Cabernet Sauvignon	44%
Cabernet Franc	10%
Petit Verdot	1%

White Varieties	Proportion
Sémillon	53%
Sauvignon Blanc	47%

Viticulture & Philosophy — Tradition and Innovation

A pioneer in combining tradition and modernity, the estate follows sustainable viticulture with rigorous clonal selection, high planting density, and parcel-by-parcel manual harvesting. Haut-Brion was among the first to adopt stainless steel vats, an underground cellar, and its own in-house cooperage — giving it complete control over its élevage and signature style.

Winemaking & Ageing — Precision and Nobility

Red wines: micro-parcel vinification in stainless steel and concrete vats; aged 18 months in barrels (≈ 35% new oak).
White wines: pneumatic pressing, barrel fermentation, and 10–12 months’ ageing (≈ 40–45% new oak). The final blend is meticulously crafted to express structure, freshness, and mineral tension.

Signature cuvées

Château Haut-Brion Rouge
An iconic Grand Vin celebrated for its deep aromas of blackcurrant, blond tobacco, graphite and fine spices, with a silky texture and saline finish.

Haut-Brion Blanc
A sought-after rarity — floral, intense and mineral with crystalline tension.

Le Clarence de Haut-Brion
The elegant red second wine, faithful to the estate’s signature.

La Clarté de Haut-Brion
The lively, luminous second white wine, seductive in its youth.

Technical Sheet

Characteristic	Details
Classification	Premier Grand Cru Classé (1855)
Vineyard area	51 ha red / 2.9 ha white
Annual production	approx. 150,000 bottles
Average vine age	36 years (red) / 27 years (white)
Second wine (red)	Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (≈ 80,000 bottles)
Second wine (white)	La Clarté de Haut-Brion (≈ 5,000 bottles)
Grape varieties (Grand Vin red)	55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Reference vintages	2012, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2000, 1990, 1989, 1961, 1955, 1945, 1928

Style & Tasting Signature

The Haut-Brion style is defined by elegant restraint and profound depth.
Red: velvety structure, aromatic richness, long and tense finish.
White: crystalline precision, mineral purity, and floral intensity. Each bottle embodies a rare balance between power and refinement, making this cru an ageless benchmark of grace and longevity.