About Château Haut-Brion
Haut-Brion is the oldest of the great Bordeaux names and the first to be sold under its own estate name rather than as generic claret. Samuel Pepys drank it in a London tavern in 1663 and recorded it in his diary as Ho Bryan. The vineyard lies in Pessac, now ringed by the southern suburbs of Bordeaux, on deep gravel mounds that hold warmth and ripen fruit earlier than the Médoc. Merlot plays a larger part in the blend than at Lafite or Latour, giving a rounder wine with a smoky, earthy signature that tasters often describe as tobacco or warm brick. The Dillon family bought the estate in 1935 and Prince Robert of Luxembourg leads it today. A small quantity of white is made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
Pessac-Léognan is the historic heart of Bordeaux, older as a vineyard than the Médoc. Our Pessac-Léognan Wines and Bordeaux Wines pages cover the neighboring châteaux, and Merlot follows the grape further afield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Haut-Brion in the 1855 classification if it is not in the Médoc?
Because its reputation and price were already too well established to leave out. The 1855 list was drawn up from broker records of what wines actually sold for, and Haut-Brion had commanded first growth prices for two centuries, so it was included despite sitting in Graves.
What is Château Haut-Brion Blanc?
The estate's white wine, made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc in tiny quantity, a few hundred cases in most years. It is among the most expensive dry whites in Bordeaux and ages for decades.
What is the difference between Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion?
They are separate estates on opposite sides of the same road in Pessac, both owned since 1983 by Domaine Clarence Dillon. La Mission is typically the firmer and darker of the two and Haut-Brion the more elegant, and they are made and sold independently.
How long does Haut-Brion age?
Good vintages want fifteen years and hold for forty or more. The higher Merlot content makes the wine more approachable at ten years than the Médoc firsts, without shortening its life.