Chateau Haut-Brion

The first wine of Bordeaux to have its greatness recognised, Haut-Brion has been a staple in England for nearly 400 years. The only wine from outside of the Médoc to be recognised as a first growth in 1855 and has been superbly run by the Dillon family since 1935. 48 hectares are planted for red wine, 45% merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and 2.9 hectares of roughly equal parts Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc from which one of the world’s finest white wines is made. It is quite different in character to the Médoc first growths, having greater aromatics, an earthy note and more accessible tannins. Over the past 40 years, the quality here has been astounding and very consistent, with prices to match.