2006 Chateau Haut Brion Blanc, Pessac Leognan

It is always interesting to taste this wine next to its stablemate, Laville Haut-Brion. While Laville has 80% Semillon in it, giving it more fat and concentration, Haut-Brion is 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Semillon. This is a crisp yet powerful wine, full-bodied, with great minerality and a subtle smokiness intermixed with hints of quince, white currant, orange skin, and lemon custard. Long, rich, and tightly knit, with good acidity and no evidence of any oak whatsoever despite the use of 100% new French oak, this wine is set for a long life as well. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2035. 95 points, Robert Parker