Wines Pessac-Léognan Château Haut-Brion - 1995

Château Haut-Brion 1995 is a Grand Cru red wine from the renowned Pessac-Léognan appellation within Graves, Bordeaux. Produced predominantly from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, this vintage is celebrated for its refined structure and longevity. The 1995 season is remembered as a classic year, marked by a warm summer that yielded wines of great balance and concentration. Haut-Brion’s meticulous vinification process, including gentle extraction and careful maturation in French oak barrels, has resulted in a wine of exceptional complexity and finesse.

The Graves region, and more specifically Pessac-Léognan, is distinguished by its deep gravelly soils, which provide excellent drainage and impart a distinctive mineral character to the wines. The moderate maritime climate, tempered by the nearby Atlantic Ocean and the Garonne River, allows for slow and even grape ripening. The area has a rich viticultural history dating back to the Middle Ages and is home to some of Bordeaux’s oldest and most prestigious estates, with Château Haut-Brion itself standing as a benchmark of excellence since the 16th century.

Pairing Château Haut-Brion 1995 calls for elegant and subtly flavoured dishes that allow the wine to shine. Classic Bordeaux cuisine, such as roast lamb with rosemary or duck breast with a red wine reduction, would complement the wine’s supple tannins and earthy notes. Wild mushrooms served with a beef fillet or a truffle risotto would echo the wine’s aromatic depth, while aged hard cheeses like Comté offer an excellent finale.

For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine for at least two hours to allow its complex bouquet of tobacco, cedar, and dark fruit to unfold fully. Serve at 17-18°C to preserve its delicate aromatics and velvety mouthfeel. Château Haut-Brion 1995 is a remarkable wine that exemplifies the elegance and longevity for which the Pessac-Léognan region is famed.