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Tour Haut Brion 1998

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

Intense aromas of cèpe and other mushrooms, with chocolate and ripe fruit underneath it all. A dense and rich wine, with chewy tannins and lots of fruit. Still holding back a lot. Needs bottle age.—'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Best after 2011.

Score: 91

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2011+ 01 January 2009

A deep garnet hue. A very attractive fresh nose of cedar, blueberry, violets and briary. A touch of iodine and espresso develops with time. The palate is full-bodied, very well balanced with superb delineation. Suave, elegant, quite voluptuous although it does not quite take off on the finish like I was hoping. Drinking 2009-2025. Tasted January 2007.

Score: 89

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2025 01 December 2007

Dark crimson and still quite youthful-looking. Although this is 57% Merlot it seems more dominated by Cabernet. Again, slightly dusty. And the alcohol is a little obvious. Not as elegant and racy as some other 1998 Pessac-Léognans. Pretty dry and tough tannins and a bit rustic but very youthful. Still needs lots of time. Closing up? A little awkward at present but pretty pure. This wine in particular didn’t change much in the glass. It had been the quality of another bottle of 1998 that had inspired this tasting according to Wilkie.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2020 10 August 2007

Dark red. Aromatic, deep nose combines plum, hot rocks and smoked meat, plus a floral topnote. Quite silky for '98, with lovely vinosity and balance. The tannins are firm but ripe.

Score: 89

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2001

My rating may be too conservative, as the 1998 is showing as well as any La Tour-Haut-Brion from the nineties. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by sweet aromas of black currants intermixed with tobacco, cedar, and spice box. The wine is beautifully pure, rich, medium-bodied, with sweet tannin and well-integrated acidity as well as wood. It should drink well after several years of aging, and last for 15-18 years.

Score: 89

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2001-2018 01 April 2001