Haut-Brion wisely aimed to produce a wine of charm and finesse rather than power. The nose is reticent and less open than that of its stablemate La Mission. On the palate; it's easygoing and silky, with little weight or density, but a light structure, polished tannins, and enough acidity to ensure freshness and a long, fluid finish. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2025
Tasted by: Stephen Brook (at London, 02 Feb 2023)
Part of Bordeaux 2013: 10 years on & 30 wines tasted

The 2013 Haut-Brion offers light loam and forest floor scents, missing its usual fruit intensity as you would expect, though it presents pressed flower and dry tobacco with further aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. Cohesive with a little more body than La Mission, this has a finely-tuned, pure finish with clove and white pepper hints. This is persistent on the finish in the context of the season. Classy. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year On tasting. Feb 2023

This has a lovely core of lightly steeped plum, blackberry and black currant fruit, which has already melded with tar and sweet tobacco notes to gain a rounded feel. Presents an ample spine for structure and length, with a hint of warm paving stone at the very end. Best from 2017 through 2025. 5,900 cases made. – James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, March 2016)

Its bigger sibling, the 2013 Haut-Brion, is a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. This classic effort tastes like a Haut-Brion, a major accomplishment in this vintage. Slightly fuller, richer and more complete than its nearby rival, La Mission Haut-Brion, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as hints of scorched earth, barbecue, charcoal, red and black currant, Asian plum sauce and spice notes. Fine-grained tannins are present, but well-integrated, and the acidity is not excessive. The result is a relatively plush, mid-weight, stylish, potentially complex Haut-Brion to drink over the next 15+ years. - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #214, August 2014)

Closed nose, with better fruit concentration on the palate. Fine, dusty tannins with great persistence on the finish. Rather light body. Dry and savoury, but hardly brimming with potential. An early-drinking style. As Steven Spurrier says, beautifully polished. Drink: 2020-2030 – Richard Hemming (jancisrobinson.com, April 2014)