Robert Parker – 96/100 Drink 2017-2035

The 2006 Haut-Brion performed even better from bottle than it did from barrel. Sixty-four percent of the production went into this wine, and while it displays the vintage’s powerful tannins and structure, it possesses superb concentration, and the minerality/scorched earth notes of a great Haut-Brion. Medium to full-bodied, with perhaps not quite the fleshiness of the 2005 or 2000, it is built more along the lines of the 1998 and 1996. It is a brilliant effort displaying sensational purity, texture, and length that should be exceptionally long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2035.

Jancis Robinson – 18/20 Drink -

57% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc. The grand vin represents 59% of total production.
Firm deep crimson. Complex rather hidden nose - savoury and embryonic, tobacco perhaps. Round and lively - rather charming already on the palate. Lively fresh tannins on the finish and sufficient fruit in the middle to give one confidence to believe that the wine will eventually be well balanced. Certainly pretty inky overall though - the difference between it and La Mission is the fruit weight in the middle. Elegant rather than angular. More solid matter and a little more gravitas and majesty than La Mission.

Neal Martin – 94-96/100 Drink -

Tasted at Haut Brion. Limpid, purple and black hue. A very ripe nose, a little muted at present but with aeration reveals blackberry, hedgerow, a touch of vanilla and black tea, Very good definition. Nose explodes after 25 minutes in glass. Full-bodied with grippy, filigree tannins (like La Mission), fine acidity. The persistency is superb, lingering over a minute in the mouth. Touch of tobacco, blackberry – all that is lacking is a flourish and flesh on the finish – just a little linear at the moment, although that may change after barrel ageing. Great potential. Tasted April 2007.