Chateau Haut Brion Collection

Located in Pessac just outside the city of Bordeaux, Château Haut-Brion holds a singular place in wine history as the only estate outside the Médoc to be designated a First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé) in the historic 1855 Classification. With winemaking roots tracing back over 500 years, Haut-Brion is widely recognized as the ancestor of modern fine wine, celebrated by historical figures from Samuel Pepys to Thomas Jefferson. Since 1935, the estate has flourished under the stewardship of the Clarence Dillon family, currently led by Prince Robert of Luxembourg and managed by the Delmas family across three generations.

The winemaking philosophy at Château Haut-Brion centers on achieving absolute harmony between power, freshness, and aromatic complexity. Unlike its Médoc counterparts, Haut-Brion features a significantly higher proportion of Merlot alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, resulting in a voluptuous texture, silky tannin structure, and a distinctively complex bouquet defined by dark fruit, graphite, and smoky Graves minerality.

Terroir & Viticulture

• Soil & Geography: Situated on two high gravel mounds (croupes) featuring deep quartz and river pebble deposits resting over a subsoil of clay, sand, and limestone. This unique urban-influenced microclimate promotes early ripening, exceptional natural drainage, and deep root systems.

• Grape Varieties & Farming:

  • Merlot (~48-50%): Delivers lush mid-palate volume, velvety texture, and ripe plum aromatics that give Haut-Brion its distinctive charm and approachable early appeal.

  • Cabernet Sauvignon (~40-44%): Provides firm structural backbone, age-worthy tannins, and signature notes of cassis, cedar, and crushed gravel.

  • Cabernet Franc (~10-15%) & Petit Verdot (~1%): Impart delicate floral perfume, tobacco leaf complexity, and subtle spice.

  • Sémillon & Sauvignon Blanc (White Terroir): Planted on 3 hectares of clay-gravel soils to craft world-renowned, richly textured dry whites.

• Cellar Precision: Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted before parcel-by-parcel vinification in custom double-skinned stainless steel vats. The Grand Vin red is aged in 100% new French oak barrels (crafted partly in the estate's own cooperage) for 20–24 months, while the rare Grand Vin Blanc undergoes barrel fermentation and aging on fine lees for 13–16 months.

Portfolio Breakdown

Food Pairings & Local Retail Call-to-Action

Epicurean Food Pairings

• Grand Vin Red (Château Haut-Brion): Roasted rack of lamb, pan-seared duck breast with truffle jus, venison medallion, or dry-aged Florentine steak.

• Grand Vin White (Château Haut-Brion Blanc): Butter-poached lobster, pan-roasted sea bass with beurre blanc, or seared foie gras.

• Second Wine Red (Le Clarence de Haut-Brion): Braised veal shanks, roasted pheasant, or wild mushroom risotto.

• Specialty White (La Clarté de Haut-Brion): Fresh oysters, grilled langoustines, or goat cheese crostini.

Shop Château Haut-Brion at ZYN

Secure a taste of true Bordeaux royalty. Every bottle in our Château Haut-Brion collection is preserved under temperature-controlled cellar conditions to guarantee pristine provenance.

Visit ZYN Calgary to explore our rare wine cellar in person, or buy online at ZYN.ca for quick local delivery and nationwide shipping across Canada.