2023 Chateau Haut Brion Pessac-Léognan (Pre-Arrival, ETA Fall 2026)

The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain is the best showing yet of this wine (which I originally rated 94). Close to perfection, it exhibits a first-growth Pauillac-like bouquet of cedarwood, creme de cassis, licorice and lead pencil shavings. This dense purple-colored, full-bodied 2002 reveals a fabulous texture, a multilayered mouthfeel, tremendous purity, and an exuberance and flamboyance that are unbelievable. Its great length of 45-50 seconds offers up a vibrancy and energy that must be tasted to be believed. These wines are all naturally fermented with indigenous yeasts and are aged in 100% new French oak (which is totally concealed by the lavish amount of fruit). This 2002 is still a young adolescent in terms of development, with at least 25 more years ahead of it. Review Date: June 2012