Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 1er Cru Classé 1988

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Founded in 1533 in the Graves terroir by Jean de Pontac, the Château Haut-Brion wine estate is one of the oldest in the Bordeaux vineyards. The wine produced there, coveted by monarchs—King Charles II of England was particularly fond of it—was named after its place of origin in the 17th century, rather than after its owner, as was then customary.

Since the Pontacs, three other families have contributed to the continued success of Château Haut-Brion wines: the Fumels (18th century), the Larrieu (19th century), and the Dillons. In 2007, the second wine of Château Haut-Brion, formerly known as "Château Bahans Haut-Brion," was renamed "Le Clarence de Haut-Brion" in honor of Clarence Dillon, an American banker with a passion for France, who acquired it on May 13, 1935. The most prestigious estate in the Pessac-Léognan appellation is now owned by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Clarence Dillon's great-grandson.

A premier cru classé, the only château outside the Médoc to have been included in the 1855 classification, Haut-Brion has the distinction of being completely enclosed within the town of Pessac, the closest suburb of Bordeaux. Its terroir, like that of La Mission Haut-Brion, Pape-Clément or Carmes Haut-Brion, is certainly the earliest in the appellation and the grapes, almost equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, ripen perfectly here, giving a full and rich wine which develops inimitable smoky notes as it ages.