As the first recorded First Growth to be imported into the United States, when Thomas Jefferson purchased six cases during his travels and sent them back to his home in Virginia, it is perhaps unsurprising that the estate was eventually purchased by an American. After a string of owners, financier Clarence Dillon acquired the estate in 1935. The Château is currently owned by Domaine Clarence Dillon, which is a limited company and thereby prevents excessive divisions of the estate between successive generations. Presently, Prince Robert of Luxembourg is at the helm, with Jean-Philippe Delmas managing the viticultural aspects of the business.

As a First Growth, there is constant pressure to produce outstanding yet consistent wines and Château Haut-Brion has consistently embraced new technologies to meet this standard. In the 1960s, the estate pioneered the installation of stainless steel vats – the first of the First Growths to do so. This increased the reliability of the vinification process and positioned the Château at the forefront of innovation in the Bordeaux region, producing a savoury wine which is both rich and intricate.

Viticulture and Vitification

Despite nearby land being consumed by the growing Bordeaux suburbs, within the walls of Château Haut-Brion the vineyards remain undisturbed. Dominated by red varieties, the vines are spread over two gravelly mounds which are easily visible from the relative flat of the surrounding land. These slopes are particularly beneficial because they provide effective drainage.

The vines are hand-harvested before undergoing a hot, short fermentation. The wines are then aged for up to 24 months in 80% new oak, resulting in Château Haut-Brion being one of the latest chateau in Bordeaux to bottle its wine. This process allows a distinctive wine to evolve – one that is earthy yet elegant, balanced and harmonious.

The Château also produces two fine white wines, one of which is Château Haut-Brion Blanc. Up to 650 cases of this wine is produced each vintage and it is often considered to be a strong contender for dry white wine of the vintage.

Classification

• Château Haut-Brion – Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855 and 1973.
• Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (previously known as Bahans Haut-Brion until the 2007 vintage) – Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.
• Château Haut-Brion Blanc – Appellation Graves Contrôlée.
• La Clarté de Haut-Brion (previously known as Les Plantiers du Haut-Brion) – Grand Vin de Graves.
• La Tour Haut-Brion (production stopped after the 2005 vintage) – Appellation Graves Contrôlée.

Varieties

The majority of the vineyards are planted with red varieties: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc. Of the white grapes 63% are Sémillon and 37% Sauvignon Blanc.

Wines Produced

• Château Haut-Brion – First Red Wine: 45% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
• Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (previously known as Bahans Haut-Brion) – Second Red Wine: a similar blend to Château Haut-Brion.
• La Tour Haut-Brion (production stopped after the 2005 vintage).
• Château Haut-Brion Blanc – First White Wine: majority Sémillon and Sauvignon with a little Sauvignon Gris.
• La Clarté de Haut-Brion (previously known as Les Plantiers du Haut-Brion) – Second White Wine: a similar blend to Château Haut-Brion Blanc.