Michael Schuster: Pebble-backed red- and blackcurrant nose; fairly full-bodied, compact, tannic wine; ripe fruit at the centre of an unusually muscular tannin for Haut-Brion; a prolonged palate full of complexity and scent in a somewhat severe style; reserved, aristocratic, long-term Haut-Brion. Quite how long-term, who knows...? 17.5/18

Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve: An outstanding vintage, more than half Merlot grapes (57% of the blend). A massive wine, exceptionally powerful for this cru, with much rougher, cruder tannins than usual, almost coarse in fact. Lacks a certain subtlety for now, but long, strictly controlled ageing should put that right. 17/18