96-98

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2025 Haut-Brion is quite the powerhouse. Black fruit, cloves, new leather, tobacco, chocolate and menthol open before a wave of huge tannins and incisive acids take over. Haut-Brion can be rather dark and somber. That is very much the case with the 2025, a wine that speaks with sepia-toned, baritone inflections. It also conveys more obvious ripeness than La Mission Haut-Brion at this stage. 04/2026

98-100

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2025 Haut-Brion was picked from September 1 (slightly later than La Mission) to September 18 at 29 hl/ha. Aged in 59% new oak, this has a very pure and elegant bouquet with ebullient brambly red fruit, crushed stone, potpourri and touches of Earl Grey. Wonderful delineation and a little more refined than, say, the 2020 or 2022. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, and there is more complexity here than La Mission, more depth and minéralité. Fresh and marine-tinged towards the finish that makes you want to come back. This year, the First Growth has put a bit of distance between itself and La Mission. 05/2026

98-100

Yohan Castaing

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

The 2025 Haut-Brion is, as usual, more reserved and austere at this stage than La Mission, unwinding in the glass to reveal notions of dark wild berries mingled with spices, pencil leaf and licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, it’s built around a multidimensional core of fruit framed by structuring yet well-integrated tannins, delivering a notably controlled expression of power and concluding with a long, perfumed, subtly ethereal finish. While still tightly knit at this stage, it possesses considerable depth—IPT (an alaytical measure of tannic concentration) levels exceeding 100, rarely observed—that is perfectly controlled and will require extended cellaring. Recent refinements in the estate’s approach, notably in viticulture, are translating into fruit of greater balance and freshness, even under the warm, dry conditions of 2025. It stands as one of the more impressive renditions of Haut-Brion in recent years. 04/2026

97-100

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

A Merlot-forward blend of 62% Merlot, 26.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11.8% Cabernet Franc aged in 60% new French oak, the 2025 Château Haut-Brion is slightly more dense and structured compared to its sibling, La Mission. Gorgeous black cherries, graphite, scorched earth, and smoke all define the bouquet, and on the palate it's remarkably pure, with polished, serious tannins, and incredible length. Its purity, concentration, and overall sense of class are riveting. 05/2026

100

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur rouge sombre, aux reflets pourpres et noirs. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, profond et très complexe, accompagné d'une odeur d'encre le rapprochant des grands Médocs. Charnu et minutieux en entrée de bouche, plus discret à cet endroit que La Mission, le vin s'installe lentement au milieu, se trame, prend des arômes éclatants et grimpe soudainement en finale, tout à la fois très puissant, délicat et surtout immensément long. Jamais je n'ai vu un Haut Brion occuper autant la bouche avec tant de précision et de force entre le milieu et la finale. Grandiose. Assemblage : 62 % Merlot, 26,2 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 11,8 % Cabernet Franc. Degré d'alcool : 13°05 - pH : 3,72. Rendement : 29,1 hl/ha. Pour la petite histoire ce degré d'alcool est le plus faible sur la série 2009-2025. Le bien aimé 2016 est à 14°. Un tel degré modéré renvoie aux années 2004 et 2003. Il est lié d'abord aux pluies tombées fin août -50mm- qui ont dilué la sucrosité. Puis à l'adjonction dans l'assemblage d'une cuve de cabernet franc jugé remarquable au degré modéré de 12°6. 04/2026

98-99

James Suckling

James Suckling

Haut-Brion delivers a red with great structure and length and superb intensity and power. It is a full-bodied red with character and depth, giving it endless length. Muscular yet polished and agile. Juicy at the end. 62% merlot, 26.2% cabernet sauvignon and 11.8% cabernet franc. 04/2026