Description
While in some vintages La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion can be close in quality, that is not the case in this vintage. The 1996 Haut-Brion, a blend of 50% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc is clearly on a higher plane than the La Mission. There is something much more expansive and complete on the nose: greater depth of fruit, more harmonious with scents of underbrush, tar, black olive and this bottle perhaps less "feral" than I have noticed on previous examples. The palate is very well balanced with dark cherries, sous-bois and cedar. This is one vintage where I think the Cabernet Franc plays an important role and lends more complexity. This is a 1996 that has retained and built upon beguiling fleshiness and it will continue to evolve with style and panache. Tasted July 2016.
- Alcohol %: 13%
- Decant Time: 2 hours
- Taste: savory, cedary oak, ripe red fruit, lively acidity, balanced, long finish
- Food Matching: grilled lamb chops, beef wellington, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses
- Grape Variety:
Merlot
: 50%,
Cabernet Sauvignon
: 39%,
Cabernet Franc
: 11%,
Tasting note
1996年的奧比安莊園酒展現了佩薩克-雷奧尼昂產區的尊貴風範。酒體呈現出中等的紅寶石色澤，散發著成熟紅果與雪松橡木的迷人香氣。口感上，活潑的酸度提升了果味，與酒體結構的堅實背景相得益彰，達到了和諧的平衡。餘韻悠長，令人印象深刻，這款酒豐富而平衡，卻又不過於強勢。作為一款享有盛譽的一級酒莊佳釀，這款酒無疑是任何鑑賞家的精緻選擇。
The 1996 Chateau Haut-Brion is a testament to the grandeur of the Pessac-Leognan terroir. This vintage exudes a medium ruby-red hue with a bouquet of rich ripe red fruits and a touch of cedary oak. The palate is graced with a lively acidity that elevates the fruit profile, creating a harmonious balance with the wine's structured backbone. The finish is impressively long, leaving a lasting impression of a wine that is rich and balanced, yet not overpowering. A true reflection of its prestigious 1er Grand Cru Classé status, this wine is a sophisticated choice for any connoisseur.
