2007 Pessac Wines & Tasting Notes

The Berrys' Fine Wine team are in Bordeaux sending back regular, comprehensive reviews on the 2007 vintage. The tasting notes below highlight some of the stand-out wines from Pessac Léognan.

Berrys' Points
Wines are scored out of 20. Berrys' points are given regardless of price, value and reputation, and are in absolute terms rather than relative to the vintage.

Drink Dates
By definition these are estimated drink dates only based on our experience of how the wines age. As some of the wines mature these drink dates may not turn out to be different from those originally stated.

From the same stable as Ch. Lynch-Bages, Villa Bel Air's 2007 has clearly been made with the same perfectionist mentality. The rich, heady, spicy plum nose is backed up by a generous, modern-styled palate with concentrated, ripe, morello cherry fruit and licorice hints. The wine displays a lovely Graves minerality and considerable, ripe tannins on the finish; slightly more Cabernet Sauvignon than usual (50%), alongside 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, adds class and structure. At a time when prices are rocketing, this delicious, fruit-driven Claret remains one of the best value reds in Bordeaux.
BBR Score 14.5/20 Drink 2009-2013

Formerly known as Le Bahans Haut-Brion, the rather grand new name for Haut-Brion's Second wine honours the 75th anniversary of Clarence Dillon's first visit to the estate. This impressive, masculine, Merlot-dominated (51%) wine boasts a lovely, creamy, dark plum nose with basketfuls of blackcurrant, black cherries and minerals on the palate. Rich, vibrant fruit cloaks ripe, substantial tannins with a combined effect that is highly reminiscent of Haut-Brion itself. More stylish, fleshy and expressive than most 2007s this is a great wine with which to begin its new identity and a worthy homage to Haut-Brion's late owner.
BBR Score 15.5/20 Drink 2012-2020

No wonder Olivier Bernard was beaming. His 2007 is the latest in a line of stunning vintages which, apart from the amazing 2005, is his best wine since 2000. A brooding, spicy, damson nose leads on to a dense palate with blackberry, crushed cassis, tobacco and leather with a long, pure finish. The balanced, mouth-filling fruit is cloaked in velvety but significant tannins (higher than 2005) bestowing the wine with a fine, masculine, early-drinking style. Fantastic in the context of any vintage, and not far off the quality of Haut-Brion, this is an essential buy for any Claret-lover this year.
BBR Score 17/20 Drink 2012-2022

Manager Véronique Sanders and Technical Director Gabriel Vialhard have worked wonders here, catapulting Haut-Bailly into the very highest echelon of Bordeaux wines. The 2007 is as silky-textured and seductive as ever with refined, creamy black cherry and redcurrant fruit and a powerful yet feminine charm. The nose is more serious than usual with ripe raspberries and coffee hints, while the famous Haut Bailly terroir bursts through on the finish alongside firm, supple tannins and intense, minerally fruit. Made with more Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) than usual, this is another absolutely irresistible Haut-Bailly.
BBR Score 16.75/20 Drink 2014-2025

With only 36% of the crop making it into the Grand Vin in 2007, there is 25% less of this wonderfully silky La Mission than in 2006. Made from a higher than normal 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot (the same as Haut-Brion) and 9% Cabernet Franc, it is wonderfully aromatic with exuberant yet elegant black cherry and dark chocolate on the nose. Beautifully-balanced, spicy plum and cassis fruit sits alongside coffee, tobacco and minerals on the palate, supported by fine, supple tannins. This remarkably intense, structured, feminine wine looks set to be one of the sleeping giants of 2007.
BBR Score 17/20 Drink 2015-2030

This outstanding Haut-Brion may not have the opulence of Mouton or the sheer class of Latour but its power, breeding and structure arguably make it the most complete First Growth in 2007. It is a Cabernet-dominated Haut-Brion with 44% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc alongside 43% Merlot. A majestic nose with bitter chocolate hints is followed by a palate of immense power (for 2007) with gloriously rich, sweet black fruit, minerals, tobacco and mocha and big but velvety tannins. With perfect balance, weight and poise, Haut-Brion is in another dimension to almost every other 2007 we have tasted. Bravo.
BBR Score 18/20 Drink 2015-2035

One of the best of what seems sure to be an outstanding crop of dry whites from this vintage. A sumptuous aroma of tropical fruit, great intensity on the palate, with an intriguing twist provided by 5% of Pinot Gris, a unique feature of Smith Haut Lafitte, and vibrant, refreshing acidity on the finish. A beautifully balanced wine..
BBR Score 17.5/20 

Tasted twice, once in Bordeaux in April, more recently in London in May. On both occasions we were struck by the excellent texture and richness of the wine on the palate. The nose is full, fresh and ripe, with no hints of greenness or austerity, the tannins are ripe and soft, and the finish sweet and quite long. Along with the Haut Brion stable, Domaine de Chevalier and Haut Bailly, Smith Haut Lafitte makes up the quintet of the finest wines from the Pessac Leognan appellation in 2007.
BBR Score 16.5/20 Drink 2013-2030

• Ch. Baret
• La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion

For further information on these and other Pessac-Léognan wines please contact us