Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider, 100 points.
Perhaps seeing a 100 Pt score is not a surprise here, but the devil is in detail as every vintage carries a unique signature, and this is the point of tasting and comparing. I am jealous of the younger generation of consumers that will be able to compare the 2018, 2019, and 2020 on maturity, as each vintage has its own strong points and character. The 2019 offers a vibrant, rich, refined, powerful, concentrated, smoky profile with countless layers of roasted, smoked red and black fruits, herbs, spice-box, cigar wrapper, cedar, and burnt leaves. Even though this is incredibly dense and intense, it is also light on its feet. Effortless to drink, with a beautiful, elegant, silky, refined finish that surpasses the 60-second mark, this will be seen by future generations as one of the great vintages of Haut Brion. Drink from 2032-2075. 100 Points .
Andreas Larsson 100 points.
I wonder if this is how the legendary 1989 tasted young, even though this should be technically better made with more polish and finesse? Nonetheless it´s very direct and forward with an immense intensity and all the stuffing – the fine cigars, the inky black fruit, the fine spices, the slight oak, the stony and smoky notes, it suggests ripeness and sweetness yet remains classically dry. Enormous concentration with an exceptional purity, plenty of powdery tannins, cocoa and dark berry flavours with great layers, complexity and a jaw dropping length. Certainly a wine hors norme!
