Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion – 2020
Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷

Overview
This white Bordeaux is built on the classic backbone of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and (often) a dash of Muscadelle. What makes this cuvée stand out is the use of egg-shaped concrete vats for fermentation and aging — these facilitate a gentle, natural stirring of the lees and preserve freshness without imparting oak character.

Aromas & Flavors
Tropical notes, citrus zest, white blossoms, and a soft mineral streak. The influence of the egg vats gives it a rounded texture without harsh edges.

Mouthfeel
Silky yet crisp — the texture is elegant, clean, and balanced. The finish lingers with refreshing clarity.

Food Pairing
Fantastic with seafood (oysters, scallops), grilled fish, or creamy goat cheese.

Verdict
One of my favorite Pessac-Léognan whites — this expression marries Bordeaux structure with modern winemaking finesse. Great value and beautifully made. Cheers!
📌 Did You Know?
Egg-shaped concrete vats create a “micro-vortex” during fermentation, gently stirring the wine and keeping lees suspended. That subtle movement adds texture and complexity without the overt influence of oak — a technique growing in popularity among modern Bordeaux blancs. — 14 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

HAUT BRION BLANC X KELLER X EARLY 90’S NIELLON CHASSAGNE 1ER CRUS. OH YEAH, THIS IS SAUVIGNON BLANC! PREPOSTEROUSLY GREAT! — 4 years ago

Bob Boyle

9.1

Reminds me of L’Arrivet Haut Brion, notes of oak & mineral, pear and faint citrus — 5 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.7

Cena casa augusto con peter z en magnjm — 4 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

No formal notes . Pretty deep Amber , copper colour . Intense marmalade , saffron , creme caramel . Rich on the palate with rich marmalade , saffron notes . Good acidity , but rich. Good length . This is drinkable now and shows quite an advanced colour , though due to its richness will probably carry on delivering for another 20 years , perhaps longer .

This was a rather fascinating evening put together by our incredibly generous host. All 2007 reds were served blind in two flights: 1st Mouton, Haut Brion, Cheval Blanc , La Mission Haut Brion then Latour , Lafite , Petrus and Margaux . Overall the wines showed well , and were mostly enjoyable to drink now , though there is no rush . This somewhat maligned vintage can give a lot of enjoyment in the right environment, I certainly wouldn’t hold back from opening or purchasing any of these wines . They mostly show good density of fruit , personality and elegance , with good freshness. These are not powerful wines , and at times perhaps the fruit can be a little cooler or greener but I was pleasantly surprised by the way they performed , just goes to show you should never write off a vintage without trying the wines ! — 9 months ago

Bob Boyle

9.1

Lemon & grapefruit nose, body fairly full and complex, kissed by oak with nice minerality melded with pear & lemon. Reminds me of L’Arrivet Haut Brion, a definite keeper on-the-list — 5 years ago

Philip Dobrin

9.2

Dominus 94 won out this night. A little muted on the palate but smells right — 6 years ago

Jan A

9.5

Full bodied with tropical fruit, honey. Bit reduction and fatty viscosity. Excellent! — 5 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

No formal notes . medium deep ruby , medium bright ruby rim. Quite spicy a little oak noticeable at first . Mixed dark fruits . A bit more round and juicy on the palate , good acidity , slightly grippy but polished tannins . This becomes a bit more restrained and reserved after a while. Served blind , I actually put this as Haut Brion , due to its generous personality, and polished tannins. Overall showed well in the flight was my top wine (though the Cheval Blanc may well be better in absolute terms) . Can be enjoyed now , though has the substance to last a further decade or so, a good showing for the Mouton. — 9 months ago

Vanessa

9.2

👉 I’ve been excited to try this barrel-fermented and -aged Sauvignon Blanc from the Dry Stack Vineyard of Bennet Valley, Sonoma County, thanks to the amazing reviews from @Ron R. 🇺🇸 It’s actually a blend, comprised of 98% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Semillon, reminiscent of a Bordeaux Blanc (winemaker Jesse Katz actually studied winemaking in Haut-Brion, Bordeaux; it shows). @jkatzwine

👁 This wine has strong clarity and a medium lemon hue.

👃 It immediately captures 📷 and focuses my senses on its youthful, layered nose offering complex aromas of ripe guava, mango, tangerine sherbet, passion fruit sorbet, lemon pith, lemongrass, fennel, white rose, cherry blossom, vanilla, and toast. 👏👏👏👏

👄 On the palate this wine is dry, albeit rich, ripe, and sweet in its aroma and flavor characteristics. It has medium(+) acidity, a medium body, medium alcohol, and pronounced intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. The finish lingers. 😍

The richness and vanilla, toasty aromas and flavors were undoubtedly influenced by the 6 months aging in 1/3 New French Oak, 1/3 Once Used French Oak, and 1/3 Neutral French Oak Barrels. 🪵

Aperture, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, 2019, ABV 13.6%. @aperturecellars — 4 years ago

with Deked1