The great Château Haut-Brion Premier Grand Cru Classe is not in the médoc (Médoc), and in the commune of Pessac-Leognan (Pessac-Leognan). How do the wines of this estate was in the historical classification of the wines of the Medoc 1855?
Yes, just they were so known for its top quality, it would be a crime not to build them on the Olympus. Thus, Haut-Brion has two categories of Grand Cru. In the classification of Medoc and in the classification of Pessac-Leognan.
In the wines of this Chateau, in contrast to the wines of the médoc, dominated by Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon plays a rather supporting role. Why Haut-Brion is softer and sweeter wines other “left coast”.
The first historical mention of these lands relates to 1423 And the story of the estate starts in 1525 when Jean de Pontacq married Jeanne de Bellona, and received land as a dowry. In 1549 it began the construction of the castle.
The present recognition of the wines of château Haut-Brion (then Pontac), received, when the estate was inherited by the great-grandson of Jean (which, by the way, lived to 101) – Arnaud de Pontacq 3rd. He first came up to remove wine from the sediment, for which the British dubbed them the “new French claret”. In your cellar book of king Charles the 2nd recorded 1660 and 1661 in the court was filed 169 bottles of wine.
In 1787, came to Bordeaux, Thomas Jefferson, future American President. He praised the wines of Haut-Brion, and thanks to him, they were the first in France officially registered for importation into the United States.
The result outswing French revolution, the estate passed into the hands of the Minister of foreign Affairs of Napoleon – Talleyrand, Prince Benevento. He owned it from 1801 to 1804. gg.
From 1804 to 1836 the estate passed from hand to hand, until it was bought by Joseph-eugène Large, whose family owned it until 1923
Then again followed by frequent change of owners. 13 may 1935, Chateau Haut-Brion acquired the American banker Clarence Dillon. According to legend, he went to buy Chateau Margaux, but because of the rainy weather turned into Haut-Brion and bought it.
Branded bottle Ch. Haut-Brion, reminiscent of a wine decanter, was released in 1960. It poured the harvest of 1958.
Today Ch. Haut-Brion is part of the holding “Domain Clarence Dillon”, whose President is Prince Robert of Luxembourg.
Chateau Haut-Brion – a witness to the triumphs and defeats, coronations and revolutions, witness the history of Europe. This is reflected in its rich, refinement, fine taste and unique multi-faceted bouquet.