The decision was taken this year to shorten the period of maceration for the cabernets in order to obtain more seductive wines that would be more reminiscent of the character of the fruit. All the red wines have a very good deep color of purplish red. The tastings and successive blending allowed us to progressively close in upon the different elements that give birth to: first our top wine and then our second wine. Sacrifices are often necessary in order to obtain the very best. Thus in 2007 we have not hesitated in “eliminating” between one fifth and one third of our production:
* for the red Château Haut-Brion, we kept only 43% of the production for our top wine, 36% for our second wine - le Clarence de Haut-Brion, and 21% for our third wine.
* for La Mission Haut-Brion 36% of the production was used for our top wine, 28% for our second wine - La Chapelle de La Mission and 36% went into our third wine. This severe selection process permitted us to make wines of an extraordinary purity.
La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion 2007 :
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The color of this wine is a rather intense purplish red. The nose is dominated by red berries (such as currants and raspberries). The mouth is unctuous and supple. The wine shows up extremely well. Its gourmand element almost makes one forget that the wine is still in barrel and that its making has just begun. Certainly, 2007 completes a very satisfying trilogy after the vintages of 2005 and 2006.
Merlot Noir 64 % ;
Cabernet Sauvignon 30 % ;
Cabernet Franc 6 %.
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Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2007 :
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Its intense color stems from a deep violet. The nose begins very discreetly. Then evolve, one by one, a plethora of different aromas. At the head of the troop comes raspberry followed by other flavors such as blackberry, Havana cigar, then roasted coffee and, to finish off, a very pleasant aroma of woodiness. The mouth begins with a sensation of softness, and then the wine expands to fill the entire space. From this moment on, the ripe tannins take over giving one a measure of the concentration of this wine. It is of an amazing freshness with a very good balance between alcohol and acidity. With the vintage 2007, La Mission Haut-Brion has produced a top wine of excellent quality.
Merlot Noir 43 % ;
Cabernet Sauvignon 48 % ;
Cabernet Franc 9 %.
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Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2007 :
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The color is close to a ruby red with tinges of violet. The nose is rather discreet but swirled around it reveals itself bit by bit. Its aromatic palette underlines its evident provenance from a great ‘terroir’ but for the first time since ages its nose is as seductive as its alter ego, La Chapelle de La Mission. In the mouth we have a confirmation of a gourmand Clarence. Habitually reserved it now comes across with a full, enriched mouth. Starting with the vintage 2007 the second wine of Château Haut-Brion has changed its name and packaging. With the vintage 2007, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is our second wine reborn and striving towards perfection.
Merlot Noir 51 % ;
Cabernet Sauvignon 34 % ;
Cabernet Franc 15 %.
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Château Haut-Brion rouge 2007 :
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"Evident" would be the defining word to describe this wine.
Usually, Haut-Brion is a wine characterized by a certain
restraint, obliging the taster to go forward to meet it.
Château Haut-Brion 2007 indicates a change. The color is a
very deep red-violet. As to the nose, at first the red
fruit dominates the evidential signature of our singular
'terroir'. This wine approaches with infinite charm. The
mouth is soft and pleasant thanks to an extraction of
tannins adapted to this vintage. The obvious freshness
carries these tannins towards an impressive lingering on the
palette. Each vintage is different but 2007 is honestly
unique. Rarely a Haut-Brion has shown so completely. With
2007, Haut-Brion will surely creep up and seduce you. That
is what is extremely evident!
Merlot Noir 43%
Cabernet Sauvignon 44 %
Cabernet Franc 13 %
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