1955 Haut Brion and 1999 d'Auvenay Criots

26 May 2012: To celebrate our first proper meal at our new home,  we opened something special.  1955 Haut Brion.  This was preceded by a 1999 d'Auvenay Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet.  First the white wine.  A quiet wine, subtle and elegant, in a very elegant and linear frame.  Lime blossom, citrus, spice, and plenty of minerality.  Incredibly fresh for its age, delighting the palate with very pure flavours, much tension and energy, and a lovely finish.  17.5/20

The level of the 1955 Haut Brion was Very Top Shoulder.  Ruby-garnet hue.  A very enticing nose of wet pebbles, tobacco, cigar box, lead pencil, leather and violet.  Very silky palate, with a hint of lovely sweet fruit on entry, now showing a thoroughly harmonious balance, with a very lengthy finish.  Perhaps slightly lacking in intensity, density and weight to reward a higher rating, but nonetheless a remarkable effort for an unfashionable vintage.   18.5/20