- Last updated on April 4, 2023
Welcome! Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé review.
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan is a premier grand cru classé wine from the Bordeaux region of France, renowned for its exceptional quality and reputation.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, grown in the vineyards of Château Haut-Brion, which have been producing wines since the 16th century.
The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 to 24 months, which gives it its complexity and depth.
Find below our Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé Review
- Brand: Château Haut-Brion
- Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- Region: France, Bordeaux
- Tasting Notes: Blackberry & Black Cherry fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Bordeaux / 59-65 °F (15-18 °C) / Decant ~1hr
- Storage: 10+ years
- Price Range: $750-$1000+ depending on vintages
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé review: What's its color?
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé has a deep ruby color with hints of garnet and fat slow falling legs.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé review: What are the flavors?
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé is primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), grapes.
The other grapes used in the blend are Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Petit Verdot (4%).
On the nose, it has an intense and complex nose with aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry, and blackberry, as well as notes of tobacco, leather, and cedar.
The fruit aromas are dominant, but they are perfectly balanced with the oak and spice aromas.
On the palate, it has a rich and full-bodied palate with flavors of black fruits, such as blackcurrant and blackberry, as well as notes of tobacco, leather, and cedar.
It has a good acidity that gives it a fresh and lively character. The tannins are well-structured, giving the wine a long and persistent finish.
Is Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé wine sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé review: Which food pairs well with it?
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé pairs well with a wide range of dishes.
Its complexity and structure make it a versatile wine that can pair with both lighter and heavier meals.
For lighter meals, it can pair well with roasted chicken or turkey, grilled salmon or tuna, or vegetarian dishes like roasted vegetables or mushroom risotto.
For heavier meals, it can pair well with grilled or roasted lamb, beef or venison. It can also be paired with flavorful cheese, such as aged Gouda or Comté.
The wine’s bold tannins and acidity cut through the richness of fatty foods, making it a great match for dishes like roasted duck or beef Wellington.
The wine’s smoky, earthy, and spicy notes can also complement dishes with similar flavors, such as barbecue or roasted vegetables with herbs like rosemary and thyme.
Overall, Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan is a wine that can stand up to a variety of rich and flavorful dishes, making it a great choice for special occasions or a luxurious meal at home.
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé review: What's its alcohol content?
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé wine’s alcohol content is 15%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Premier Grand Cru Classé wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have higher calories per glass than wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per gram vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per gram of carbs, which include sugar.
What is Château Haut-Brion?
Here is an extract from the Château Haut-Brion website:
“The first vines appeared on the gravel hillsides of Haut-Brion in the first century AD.
In 1521, Château Haut-Brion became the first Bordeaux vineyard to be named after its terroir, instead of the owner or the parish, making the estate the first luxury wine brand in the world.
This led Haut-Brion to earn the rare distinction of Premier Grand Cru Classé (Classified First Growth) in the 1855 classification, the only cru outside the Médoc to receive this prestigious title.“
Conclusion
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan is a complex and rich wine that reflects the unique terroir of the Bordeaux region.
It is a perfect balance of fruit, oak, and spice, with a good acidity and well-structured tannins.
This wine is an excellent choice for pairing with red meats and game, as well as rich and flavorful dishes.
It is a true testament to the quality and tradition of the Château Haut-Brion vineyards, and a wine that any wine lover should experience.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Cheers!
