FEATURES
The 1987 Château Haut-Brion Blanc is a rare and historic white Bordeaux, often regarded as 【the greatest white of Bordeaux, with only about 8,000 bottles available per vintage】. This vintage, a blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, is now showing its age, with increasing acidity and a more oxidative quality starting to override its remaining citrus notes, indicating it requires drinking. Despite this, it still offers a complex profile with voluptuous flavors of cedar, honey, leather, mineral, and citrus, presenting a medium-bodied, round, elegant, and silky taste. The ambition behind this wine was to achieve the aromatic fullness of a sweet wine in a dry expression.
For wines of this venerable age, it's important to approach them with care. Expect the corks to be fragile, and the capsules may show signs of age. The wine itself, while still offering enjoyment, will display characteristics of an old wine style, with tertiary aromas and a delicate structure. Serving advice: Older vintages like this 1987 might need very little decanting, just enough to remove any potential sediment. Decant gently and only for a short period, perhaps 30 minutes to an hour, to allow it to breathe without losing its delicate aromatics. Serve at a cool cellar temperature of around 15.5 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit) to enhance its freshness and lift.
🍴 Food Pairing: This aged white Bordeaux pairs wonderfully with a myriad of seafood dishes, including shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, and sashimi. It also complements chicken, pork, veal, Asian cuisine, salads, and even aged cheeses like Manchego and Parmesan.
🥂 Event Suggestions: This is a wine for a truly special occasion, perhaps a milestone anniversary or a gathering of serious wine collectors. It's an opportunity to experience a piece of Bordeaux history and appreciate the evolution of a great white wine.