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1999 Chateau Haut-Brion Premier Cru Classe Wine Republic

1999 Chateau Haut-Brion Premier Cru Classe

Pessac Léognan, Bordeaux, France

Gravel and Grace

Majestic, mature and unmistakably Haut-Brion, the 1999 unfolds slowly with blackcurrant, mulberry, black cherry and plum, followed by cedar, cigar humidor, black truffle and liquorice. Cool graphite and warm gravel sit beneath the fruit, while notes of forest floor, vanilla and gentle smoke reveal the complexity gained through more than two decades in the bottle.

Medium to full-bodied, poised and beautifully proportioned, with a generous core of dark fruit carried by satin-like tannins and finely judged freshness. Merlot brings breadth and softness, Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and mineral definition, while Cabernet Franc adds perfume and savoury lift. The finish is exceptionally persistent, moving through cedar, spice and earthy minerality. Now at a beautiful point of maturity, although well-stored bottles should continue to evolve gracefully.

For when: The bottle itself is the occasion.

Pairs with: Beef Wellington, roast grouse, côte de boeuf, saddle of venison, truffled mushroom pithivier or aged Comté.

The only estate outside the Médoc named a First Growth in the 1855 Classification, Château Haut-Brion occupies an historic gravel terrace in Pessac-Léognan. The unusually high proportion of Merlot in the 1999 blend gives this vintage particular suppleness and charm, without losing the smoky, mineral character that makes Haut-Brion so distinctive.

Recommended drinking window: 2026 to 2040.

Whats in the bottle
Merlot: 60 %, Cabernet Sauvignon: 28%, Cabernet Franc: 12 %

Notable Awards
93 points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

£375.00 - £375.00
£375.00
£375.00 - £375.00
£375.00
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Château Haut-Brion is one of Bordeaux’s most historic and celebrated estates. Wine from the Haut-Brion terroir was recorded as early as 1521, while Jean de Pontac acquired the estate in 1533 and began constructing the château in 1549. In 1855, Haut-Brion became the only property outside the Médoc included among Bordeaux’s original First Growths. It is also classified as a Cru Classé de Graves.

The vineyard lies in Pessac, only a few kilometres from the centre of Bordeaux, on an elevated terrace of quartz-rich gravel. These free-draining stones rest over a complex subsoil of clay, sand, limestone and shelly sand. The gravel absorbs warmth during the day and supports slow, even ripening, contributing to the wine’s characteristic combination of aromatic complexity, smoky minerality and remarkable longevity.

American financier Clarence Dillon acquired the estate in 1935, and the Dillon family remains its custodian under Prince Robert of Luxembourg. The 1999 vintage was produced during the tenure of Jean-Bernard Delmas, who directed Haut-Brion from 1961 until 2003. His son Jean-Philippe Delmas now represents the third generation of his family responsible for producing the estate’s wines, continuing a philosophy built around rigorous selection, precise blending and patient maturation.

The 1999 Château Haut-Brion combines 60% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc. Harvesting took place between 8 and 24 September. The growing season was relatively warm, with average temperatures approximately 2% above the preceding 40-year mean, and was punctuated by several unusually severe weather events.

The grapes were picked by hand according to ripeness, carefully sorted and destemmed before being vinified in temperature-controlled vats. Fermentation and maceration allowed the fruit, tannins and aromatic components of each parcel to develop before the individual lots were assessed for the final blend.

The selected wines matured in barrel for approximately 18 to 20 months, with 69% new barrels used for this vintage. Traditional racking helped clarify and gently oxygenate the wine throughout maturation. Bottling took place between 21 and 29 August 2001.

Alcohol: 13%. Recommended drinking window: 2026 to 2040.

Wine-Searcher Retailer Awards 2026/27 Gold, Overall List in Cardiff