This is a blend of 75% Merlots and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep ruby in color. The nose is very tight but shows some black cherry. Much more open on the palate. Black cherry fruit with slight black raspberries. Medium to light tannins. Reasonably balanced. A bit bitter on the finish. This drinks quite easily on its own but would be better with a burger or other grilled food.
Bordeaux wines from 1982 are often still drinking great. While one might think a wine such as this might be over the hill, that is not true. At least for this bottle. It still has some youthful freshness. It is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. No real bricking or browning. On the nose there is cassis, dust, slight cigar box and hints of cherry. On the palate, this has lively energy. Cassis and cherries with some underlying dried herbal notes. Not a big wine. Some depth and slight layering. Nice finish.
Great showing for this chateau that I don't believe I had ever heard of much left tried. It is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Cabernet Franc. Purple in color. The nose is earthy with cassis, and some spice. On the palate, this has ripe fruit. A nice complexity and depth. Cassis layered with earth and gravel. Some tannins. This probably won't improve from here but it should be good for another ten years at least. It will work well with roasted meats or fowl and drinks well on its own. A great value.
This is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. A gorgeous wine that is still very young. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is pretty classic for Haut Brion with cassis, crushed gravel, slight asphalt and strawberries. On the palate there are silky but firm tannins. Deep and complex, the layers unwind in the glass. Cassis and black cherries, slight strawberries over gravel and earth. Great balance. Long finish. This needs another ten years to maturity and should be there for a couple more decades after that. It is delicious right now but give it air.
Labelled as Cru Bourgeois, half of this wine's production is typically kosher although this bottle was not so marked. A blend of 45% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Purple in color. The nose has plenty of barnyard with some cherries. On the palate, this is soft, but has a nice complexity. Plums and cherries. Light tannins. Moderate finish. This probably won't get better but should maintain this level for another ten to twelve years. It will go well with stews and casseroles.
