98 Robert Parker
The 2012 Haut Brion (65% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc) is certainly one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage, with a dense purple color, classic nose of crushed rock, lead pencil shavings, black raspberry, blueberry and flowers. The wine shows subtle barbecue smoke notes in the background, but is full-bodied, stunningly concentrated and builds incrementally, yet finishes with luxurious, almost extravagant amounts of fruit and intensity. From only 46% of the production, this is an absolutely remarkable effort from the Dillon family and their winemaking team of the two Jean-Philippes. Drink it over the next 30-40 years.
19 Rene Gabriel
62.5 % Merlot, 32.5 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 % Cabernet Franc. Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Erhabener Duft von Teer, dunklen Beeren, Lakritze, einem Hauch Korinthen, Brazil-Tabak. Im Gaumen unglaublich viel feiner als der Mission, hier ist es fraglos ein Premier-Cru, ausgeglichene Adstringenz, nachhaltiges Finale. Ein Meisterstück in einem schwierigen Umfeld. Mit 44 hl/ha Ertrag deutlich unter dem Mission liegend. Ich habe am gleichen Tag mehr als 100 Weine aus der Appellation Pessac-Léognan verkostet. Da sah man deutlich das Gefällt im Sinne eines eingemeisselten Klassementes. Und wenn beim Jahrgang 2012 das mögliche Klassement wirklich gilt, dann steht dieser wunderbare Haut-Brion halt ganz alleine da. Und das hat er mit dieser perfekten Vinifikationsleistung auch verdient!warten (2020 - 2050)
96 James Suckling
Amazing aromas of wet stones, earth, currants and berries. Subtle and complex. Full body and a beautiful core of ripe fruit on the palate and the finish. Round, light, chewy tannins. Needs at least four or five years to open. This is the most merlot ever in Haut-Brion. Rich too. One of the wines of the vintage. 65.5% merlot, 32.5% cabernet sauvignon and 25 cabernet franc. Better in 2020.
95 Wine Spectator
This combines power and refinement, with a singed alder frame around a dense core of red and black currant, plum and blackberry fruit. Notes of bay, black tea and tar line the finish. Has a lovely, fine-grained feel that lets the dark, hefty fruit drape beautifully. The tobacco element hangs in the background. Sneakily long. Best from 2018 through 2030. 9,008 cases made. –JM
The 2012 Haut Brion (65% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc) is certainly one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage, with a dense purple color, classic nose of crushed rock, lead pencil shavings, black raspberry, blueberry and flowers. The wine shows subtle barbecue smoke notes in the background, but is full-bodied, stunningly concentrated and builds incrementally, yet finishes with luxurious, almost extravagant amounts of fruit and intensity. From only 46% of the production, this is an absolutely remarkable effort from the Dillon family and their winemaking team of the two Jean-Philippes. Drink it over the next 30-40 years.