1988 Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Bordeaux France Wine Tasting Note

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1988
92
This is a Bordeaux for Burgundy drinkers. It is all about the fabulous nose. The wine wants to get where it needs to be, but there is a strictness to its personality and some dryness in the tannins that take over on the palate. 3 hours of decanting did not help. This is perfect for tasters bemoaning the classic taste of Bordeaux, but it really was not a lot of fun to taste.

This is a Bordeaux for Burgundy drinkers. It is all about the fabulous nose. The wine wants to get where it needs to be, but there is a strictness to its personality and some dryness in the tannins that take over on the palate. 3 hours of decanting did not help. This is perfect for tasters bemoaning the classic taste of Bordeaux, but it really was not a lot of fun to taste.

6,164 Views   Tasted
Is it you, or is it me? Hard to say as I'm not yet sure if it was the wine, or the specific bottle. With effort, wet earth, cocoa, smoke, black plums and dark cherry scents are there. But the wine is a bit dry and shows some greeness in the finish. This is still young, but the style of the tannins might become more of an issue as the wine ages.

Is it you, or is it me? Hard to say as I'm not yet sure if it was the wine, or the specific bottle. With effort, wet earth, cocoa, smoke, black plums and dark cherry scents are there. But the wine is a bit dry and shows some greeness in the finish. This is still young, but the style of the tannins might become more of an issue as the wine ages.

6,550 Views   Tasted
1988 Haut Brion greets you with tobacco, smoke, stone, cassis, earth spice aromas. Elegant, smooth, soft and open, this mature wine ends with smoky, cassis and cherry flavors.

1988 Haut Brion greets you with tobacco, smoke, stone, cassis, earth spice aromas. Elegant, smooth, soft and open, this mature wine ends with smoky, cassis and cherry flavors.

12,052 Views   Tasted
1988 Haut Brion is a traditional style of Haut Brion. Cassis, spice, earth, smoke, mushroom and tobacco notes open the perfume. Full bodied and filled with ripe, juicy cassis, the wine lacks the polish and ripeness found in the top vintages. 93 Pts

1988 Haut Brion is a traditional style of Haut Brion. Cassis, spice, earth, smoke, mushroom and tobacco notes open the perfume. Full bodied and filled with ripe, juicy cassis, the wine lacks the polish and ripeness found in the top vintages. 93 Pts

12,464 Views   Tasted
Smoky aromatics, cassis, tobacco and fresh ground spices, full bodied, concentrated with hints of underripeness that appears in the otherwise, stylish finish, this is a good but not great Haut Brion.

Smoky aromatics, cassis, tobacco and fresh ground spices, full bodied, concentrated with hints of underripeness that appears in the otherwise, stylish finish, this is a good but not great Haut Brion.

5,541 Views   Tasted
The black fruit, tobacco and spice perfume was reticent and needed a lot of swirling to come out and play. Structured, tannic, needs time.

The black fruit, tobacco and spice perfume was reticent and needed a lot of swirling to come out and play. Structured, tannic, needs time.

5,279 Views   Tasted
Coffee, licorice, cassis and herbal notes filled the air. Full bodied, lush, rich and tannic. Cassis and blackberry with spicy tones are easy to find in the finish. Needs another decade of sleep.

Coffee, licorice, cassis and herbal notes filled the air. Full bodied, lush, rich and tannic. Cassis and blackberry with spicy tones are easy to find in the finish. Needs another decade of sleep.

5,445 Views   Tasted

When to Drink Chateau Haut Brion, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Haut Brion needs several years, and in the best vintages up to 2 decades time before the wine displays its true character. Haut Brion needs at least 12-20 years of aging, or longer, in good vintages until it is ready to be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for 2-4 hours or more.

This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Haut Brion offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 15-50 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Haut Brion with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Haut Brion is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Haut Brion is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Haut Brion is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms, and pasta.

The white wine of Chateau Haut Brion is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.

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