2020 Larrivet Haut Brion
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Larrivet Haut-Brion bursts with aromas of red berries, vine smoke, orange rind and petals, followed by a medium to full-bodied, lively and complete palate built around powdery tannins and vibrant fruit flavors. The team employed some whole bunch for their old vine Cabernet Franc this year, and the results are excellent. This is an impressively vibrant, harmonious wine from this address.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is a gorgeous, incredibly satisfying Pessac, and it's certainly up with the finest vintages I've tasted from this estate. It has lots of red, blue, and black fruits as well as ample spice, leafy tobacco, truffle, and smoked earth, and it develops a beautiful sense of complexity and nuance with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it shows the vibrant, elegant style of the vintage, has ripe tannins, perfect overall balance, and a great finish. If you love a great Graves, buy a case of this beauty and enjoy over the next two decades. This estate continues to fly too far under the radar for most consumers.
The 2020 Larrivet Haut-Brion has an airy nose, quite high-toned black cherry fruit laced with mint, though it lacks a bit of presence compared to its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, slightly herbaceous, easygoing with a relatively lighter finish. Enjoyable, but maybe just missing the sophistication that the season offered.
The 2020 Larrivet Haut-Brion is a powerful, dark wine marked by strong Cabernets that lend tons of aromatic presence and sheer density. This virile, explosive Pessac-Léognan packs quite the punch. Blackberry, gravel, licorice and grilled herbs are some of the notes that build in this deep, expansive wine. Superb.
About the producer
Known as La Rivette prior to the late 19th century, this property is owned by the Gervoson family (best known for the Bonne Maman brand). They farm 75 hectares, with around seven of those dedicated to white grapes.