Selection of Wines from Château Haut-Brion

When he bought Château Haut-Brion in 1935, Clarence Dillon restored it to its former glory and the elite circle of the world's most legendary wines. This extraordinary, bold and courageous vision is now being pursued by the fourth generation of the family, represented by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Chairman and CEO since 2008. Located in the town of Pessac, a few kilometers from Bordeaux, Château Haut-Brion –
the first of three estates acquired by the Dillon family is the oldest winery in the region.

The vineyard of Château Haut-Brion is located in the town of Pessac, a few kilometers southwest of downtown Bordeaux. It belongs to the Pessac-Léognan appellation, in the north of the Graves wine region. Château Haut-Brion is the only wine to be both First Growth of the 1855 classification and Classified Growth of the Tombs.

The vineyard covers an area of 51 hectares, 48 of which are planted with red grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) and about 3 hectares are devoted to white grape varieties (Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris).

The best wines are selected for Château Haut-Brion and placed in barrels for 20 to 24 months. Maturation is also the art of integrating the woods of the barrels, to ensure that the woodiness of the new barrels never overwhelms the wine. Each year, the percentage of new barrels is reviewed, depending on the characteristics of the vintage and the profile of the wine. During this period, wine is frequently racked "by dodging" (through the small hole at the base of the barrel), which is a long and meticulous and traditional procedure that requires great attention. But it is also the most precise and gentle technique for wine. During this process, the clarity of the wine is constantly checked by the light of a candle. This procedure carried out during maturation helps to develop the wine, gently oxygenate it and form its character. The wine is then bottled to continue the slow aging process.