2020 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion Rouge

2020 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion Rouge is a polished, modern expression of Pessac-Léognan, marrying classic Graves structure with generous, ripe fruit. Sourced primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon with a supporting share of Merlot, it offers depth, finesse and a decidedly luxurious texture. Long regarded as one of the rising stars of the appellation, Larrivet Haut-Brion has, under the Gervoson family and director Bruno Lemoine, firmly claimed a place among the most compelling wines of southern Bordeaux.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 shows a deep, almost opaque purple-black hue, hinting at concentration and youth. The nose is expressive and layered, with ripe black fruits at the core – blackcurrant, black raspberry and morello cherry – wrapped in notes of wild blueberry, cassis pastille, and candied violet. Subtle tones of leather, graphite, mint chocolate, smoked earth and a gentle touch of licorice add complexity and a distinctly Graves-like, slightly smoky signature. On the palate the wine is medium to full-bodied, dense yet finely tuned, with a core of juicy red and black fruit framed by firm, beautifully ripe, velvety tannins. The fresh acidity keeps everything lifted and precise, giving the wine both immediacy and tension. Flavors of black cherry, cassis, and plum unfold alongside hints of cocoa, tobacco leaf, and forest floor, leading into a long, fragrant, mouthcoating finish. This is a young, structured Pessac-Léognan with excellent aging potential; it can be enjoyed in its youth after a good decant, but will really hit its stride over the next 8–15 years and continue to evolve gracefully beyond that.

Production
The estate lies in the heart of Graves’ Pessac-Léognan appellation, where the vineyards rest on classic gravelly soils over sand and clay, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The average vine age of around 30 years naturally limits yields and adds concentration and complexity to the fruit. Harvesting is carried out by hand, allowing precise selection of bunches at optimal ripeness, parcel by parcel. In the cellar, the grapes are vinified traditionally with careful extraction to preserve fruit purity and fine tannic structure. The young wine then matures in French oak barriques, with roughly one-third new barrels, one-third one-year-old, and one-third two-year-old, striking a balance between oak influence and terroir expression while building texture, aromatic complexity and aging capacity.

Food & Serving
This 2020 Larrivet Haut-Brion Rouge is a natural partner for classic Bordeaux fare: roast lamb with herbs, ribeye steak, duck breast, and slow-braised beef all work beautifully with its dark fruit, structure and subtle smokiness. It also pairs well with game birds, mushroom dishes, truffle-inflected cuisine, and aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Manchego. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to show its full aromatic range. In its youth, decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended to soften the tannins and allow the bouquet to open; as the wine matures, a shorter decant primarily for sediment management will suffice.

Producer
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, located in the Graves subregion of Bordeaux within the prestigious Pessac-Léognan appellation, has a history that stretches back to the 19th century, but it is under the ownership of the Gervoson family that the estate has truly come into its own. With director Bruno Lemoine at the helm, the château has undergone a qualitative renaissance through meticulous vineyard work and thoughtful, terroir-driven winemaking. Today Larrivet Haut-Brion is widely recognized as one of the appellation’s overachievers, consistently producing wines that punch above their official classification and earning high critical praise for their balance of elegance, depth and aging potential.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.