When he purchased Château Haut-Brion in 1935, Clarence Dillon restored it to its former glory and to the elite circle of the most legendary wines in the world. This extraordinary, bold, courageous vision is now continued by the fourth generation of the family, represented by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Chairman since 2008.
Clarence Dillon
Prince Robert of Luxembourg
Located in the town of Pessac, just a few kilometres from Bordeaux, Château Haut-Brion – the first of the three estates acquired by the Dillon family – is the oldest winegrowing property in the region. The vineyard covers an area of 51 hectares, 48 of which are planted with red grapes (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot).
The property is situated just opposite that of Château La Mission Haut-Brion and shares the same gravelly and elevated terrain ideal for cultivating vines, already referred to as Haut-Brion on ancient maps and deeds. The nature of the gravel at Château Haut-Brion, consisting of small stones of various types of quartz, is a key element contributing to the particularly valuable wine-growing potential of the soil. The gravel soil lies on a single subsoil of clay, sand, limestone and falun (limestone shell) established at the end of the Tertiary era and throughout the Ice Ages. From 20cm to over 3m thick, the gravel deposits form slopes that enjoy excellent exposure with natural drainage.
Château La Mission Haut-Brion has been owned by the Dillon family since 1983. They immediately began to improve the whole estate and take La Mission into a new Renaissance. The vineyard covers an area of 29 hectares (about 72 acres). Nearly 25 hectares are planted with red grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc).
Vintage 2015
The year 2015 appears to be the warmest and sunniest, throughout the country, since the beginning of meteorological statistics. A long heat wave and dry period allowed for excellent flowering conditions until the arrival, in August, of miraculous rains. This rain enabled the vines to maintain the necessary water reserves and to provide requisite nourishment for perfect ripeness. The harvest began in September under a clear blue sky.
All the conditions are there to allow 2015 to join the greatest vintages of Bordeaux.
2015 CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION
100 POINTS – ROBERT PARKER
100 POINTS – JEB DUNNUCK
98 POINTS – JAMES SUCKLING
2015 CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT-BRION
100 POINTS – JAMES SUCKLING
98 POINTS – ROBERT PARKER
98 POINTS – JEB DUNNUCK
“In my personal collection, I have more bottles of La Mission Haut-Brion than any other wine in the world. La Mission has been one of the best wines for a long time, and one of the most constant in terms of quality.”
ROBERT PARKER