1962 - Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan

The 1962 Haut-Brion can be a sublime experience. It is a wine that I have tasted twice before, bottles now increasingly scarce. Deep in colour, such is the opulence on the nose that initially I thought it could be the 1982. That initial exuberance subsides to reveal aromatics not a million miles away in style from the 1961s albeit without such a potent marine influence. Vestiges of dark fruit, black olive, just a hint of brine all beautifully defined, it grows in stature for the first 20 minutes and then ebbs. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannin. This feels so harmonious and whilst not as powerful as the 1961, there is something so natural and understated about this follow-up. The estuarine influence does become stronger towards the finish, just gliding to its denouement. This was Jean-Bernard Delmas’ second vintage at the helm of Haut-Brion. What a way to begin an illustrious career. Tasted blind at a private dinner in Bordeaux.

The 1962 has always been a very fine Haut-Brion, scoring between the upper eighties and low nineties. In this tasting, it was spicy and sweet, with a tobacco, roasted herb, and red and black fruit-scented nose. The wine is lush, round, medium-bodied, and fully mature. The notes for this wine are taken from the description of Series IV - Flight D of the 1995 tasting conducted in Munich by Helga and Hardy Rodenstock. Many years after the tasting from which this note derives allegations were made concerning the authenticity of old and rare bottles of wine sold by Hardy Rodenstock to collectors around the world. The matter has been the subject of numerous articles, litigation and at least one book. Mr. Parker believes that the wines served to him at this tasting were authentic so this note and the others from that specific tasting continue to be posted on eRobertParker.com.

Bought from the London cellar of the late Belle and Barney Rhodes, great collectors based in the Napa Valley. Dark crimson; looked (and tasted) more youthful than the 1964 served alongside. Very pure fruit and still remarkably fresh for its age. Absolutely classic. Tastes as though it has only just reached its peak! (JR)