An intense, opulent nose with notes of ripe fruits and meat. An exotic and decadent wine, it boasts a full body, with big velvety tannins and loads of complexity. Layers and layers of flavors. Date: Apr 2011; Rating: 96 Points; James Suckling

Complex aromas of black licorice, tobacco and cedar with red fruits. Full-bodied, with superseductive, silky tannins, loads of fruit and a finish that lasts for minutes. A beauty in all the sense of the word. Date: Mar 2006; Rating: 96 Points; Wine Spectator

Even better, and clearly the best wine made in the Haut-Brion stable in 2003 (the last vintage of the great Jean-Bernard Delmas as administrator), the 2003 Haut-Brion is a blend of 58% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc that hit 13% natural alcohol, which seemed high at the time, but given more recent vintages is modest. Dark ruby/plum in color, with no amber or orange at the edge, the wine exhibits an abundance of roasted herbs, hot rocks, black currants, plum, and balsamic notes. Quite rich, medium to full-bodied and more complete, with sweeter tannins than La Mission Haut-Brion, this full-bodied Haut-Brion has hit full maturity, where it should stay for at least a decade. Bravo! Date: Aug 2014; Rating: 95 Points; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate