Haut-Brion, Pichon Baron & Smith Haut Lafitte Released

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Today’s release is headlined by First Growth Château Haut-Brion, one of Bordeaux’s most historic and sought-after estates, and a wine widely considered among the defining releases of the 2025 En Primeur campaign. Joined by the precision and consistency of Smith Haut Lafitte and the enduring strength of Pichon Baron, today’s lineup brings together estates that have long been fixtures in the world’s leading collections. For buyers focused on the most important wines of the vintage, these releases offer a compelling combination of pedigree, critical acclaim, and long-term potential.

Château Haut-Brion 2025

The 2025 Château Haut-Brion is shaping up to be one of the estate's standout wines of the decade.

Harvested between September 1 and 18, the second-earliest harvest in the château's history, the Grand Vin is a blend of 62% Merlot, 26.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11.8% Cabernet Franc. Critics have been unanimous in their praise highlighting its remarkable balance, complexity, and longevity. Several leading critics have even awarded perfect scores, making Haut-Brion one of Bordeaux's rare triple-100-point contenders in 2025.

Haut-Brion Blanc, already a rarity, is one of the most difficult white wines of the vintage to secure this year. Produced in significantly smaller quantities than usual with yields down 50%, receiving outstanding critical acclaim and available only extremely limited availability, it is expected to be one of the most sought-after white wine releases of the campaign.

Quality runs throughout the range. Clarence de Haut-Brion delivers exceptional depth and refinement, while La Clarté de Haut-Brion stands among the best values of the vintage, offering freshness, texture, and aromatic precision.

A First Growth of extraordinary pedigree, 2025 Haut-Brion is a release collectors won't want to miss.

What the Critics Are Saying:

Haut Brion Rouge 2025

98-100 Points, Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com:

“The 2025 Haut-Brion is, as usual, more reserved and austere at this stage than La Mission, unwinding in the glass to reveal notions of dark wild berries mingled with spices, pencil leaf and licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, it’s built around a multidimensional core of fruit framed by structuring yet well-integrated tannins, delivering a notably controlled expression of power and concluding with a long, perfumed, subtly ethereal finish. While still tightly knit at this stage, it possesses considerable depth—IPT (an alaytical measure of tannic concentration) levels exceeding 100, rarely observed—that is perfectly controlled and will require extended cellaring. Recent refinements in the estate’s approach, notably in viticulture, are translating into fruit of greater balance and freshness, even under the warm, dry conditions of 2025. It stands as one of the more impressive renditions of Haut-Brion in recent years.”

98-100 Points, Neal Martin, www.vinous.com:

“The 2025 Haut-Brion was picked from September 1 (slightly later than La Mission) to September 18 at 29 hl/ha. Aged in 59% new oak, this has a very pure and elegant bouquet with ebullient brambly red fruit, crushed stone, potpourri and touches of Earl Grey. Wonderful delineation and a little more refined than, say, the 2020 or 2022. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, and there is more complexity here than La Mission, more depth and minéralité. Fresh and marine-tinged towards the finish that makes you want to come back. This year, the First Growth has put a bit of distance between itself and La Mission.”

97-100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com:

“A Merlot-forward blend of 62% Merlot, 26.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11.8% Cabernet Franc aged in 60% new French oak, the 2025 Château Haut-Brion is slightly more dense and structured compared to its sibling, La Mission. Gorgeous black cherries, graphite, scorched earth, and smoke all define the bouquet, and on the palate it's remarkably pure, with polished, serious tannins, and incredible length. Its purity, concentration, and overall sense of class are riveting.”

Haut Brion Blanc 2025

98 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, www.thewinepalate.com:

“The 2025 Haut-Brion Blanc shimmies out with energetic notes of lime cordial, fresh grapefruit, and lemon curd, leading to suggestions of orange blossoms, sea spray, and yuzu zest with a touch of struck flint. The full-bodied palate is so satiny and seductive with electric citrus fruit flavors and minerally accents, finishing very long and fragrant. Magic. The blend is 53% Sauvignon Blanc and 47% Sémillon. The alcohol is 14.55%. It was aged in French oak barrels (45% new). This was tasted as a bottled wine.”

97-98 Points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com:

“The brightness and intensity are really impressive, with aromas of sliced pears, lemons, minerals and hints of crushed stones and salt. Energetic and lively. A blend of 53% sauvignon blanc and 47% semillon.”

Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2025

The 2025 vintage at Château Smith Haut Lafitte carries special significance as the final harvest of Daniel Cathiard, the beloved owner whose vision and leadership transformed the estate into one of Bordeaux's great modern success stories. Following his passing this past winter, the château has added his name to the label—a fitting tribute to a figure who left an indelible mark on Bordeaux.

The Rouge (68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot) is a return to a more classical expression of Smith Haut Lafitte, combining power and concentration with freshness, precision, and elegance. Notes of cassis, graphite, spice, and flowers are framed by refined tannins and exceptional balance.

The Blanc is among the most celebrated white wines of the vintage. A blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris, and 5% Sémillon, it has earned outstanding critical acclaim for its remarkable intensity, saline energy, and long ageing potential.

From the Grand Vin to Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte, quality is exceptional throughout the range, making 2025 both a poignant and highly collectible release from this iconic Pessac-Léognan estate.

What the Critics Are Saying:

Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge 2025

98 Points, Jane Anson, www.insidebordeaux.com:

“This is so good, so much energy and depth, slate and wet stones holding interest and the palate expands, showing fragrant capsicum pepper, crushed mint, toasted spices, cumin, liquorice, cassis, cocoa bean, fully in the DNA of Smith Haut Lafitte. Harvest 1 to 30 September, and here they paused over that rain of September 23, as did Château Margaux - both estates were richly rewarded for this choice. 50% new oak for ageing. Last vintage of Daniel Cathiard, and expect a label commemorating the remarkable impact he had on this brilliant estate.”

97-99 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com:

“One of my favorite wines in the vintage, the 2025 Château Smith Haut Lafitte is based on 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, raised in 50% new oak, 45% old barrel, and 5% foudre. Beautiful darker fruits, scorched earth, smoky tobacco, chocolate, and graphite all define the aromatics, and on the palate, it's full-bodied, with a deep, concentrated mid-palate, beautiful tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. It brings beautiful ripeness as well as a balanced, textured, seamless style.”

97-98 Points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com:

“So aromatic and expressive, with pure currants and mint, plus some chocolate. Fennel too. Wow. Medium- to full-bodied with very deep fruit, fine, velvety tannins and a long, fine texture. The precision and depth are impressive. More fruit-driven than usual. It grows on the palate and is compact at the end. Very cabernet in the end. Almost like St.-Julien and Pauillac in nature. A blend of 68% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.”

Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2025

98-99 Points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com:

“Bright aromas of sliced apples, pears and lemons, with some acacia and flint. Vibrant. The palate is dense and tight, with so much chalk and oyster shell character. Extremely long and pure, with vivid energy at the end. Sharp and driven by acidity. pH 3.2. A blend of 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon and 5% sauvignon gris.”

96-98 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com:

“Honeyed citrus, orange blossom, mint, crushed stone, and brioche all emerge from the 2025 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris, and the rest Sémillon that's being raised in 50% new barrels with the balance in once-used oak. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with deep, rich, layered fruit and a lengthy, seamless finish. It's one of the whites of the vintage."

Le Petit Haut Lafitte by Smith Haut Lafitte 2025

95-96 Points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com: “A structure and long red with beautiful cabernet fruit, currants and hazelnuts. It's medium- to full-bodied with a firm and slightly chewy texture and a persistent finish. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot.”

Château Pichon Baron 2025

The 2025 vintage at Château Pichon Baron is a striking expression of Pauillac, built around one of the highest proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon in the estate's recent history. Comprising 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, the wine captures both the power and precision of the vintage, combining concentrated fruit with freshness, structure, and remarkable finesse.

Following a dry winter, a challenging spring, and a hot, dry summer moderated by timely rainfall, the estate completed one of its earliest harvests on record between September 8 and 24. Low yields of just 24 hl/ha contributed to a wine of exceptional intensity and purity. Built for long ageing yet already displaying remarkable harmony, it stands among the top wines of Pauillac

The estate's second wine, Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, is dominated by Merlot. It combines ripe black fruit, graphite, spice, and floral notes, showing remarkable quality relative to its price point. 2025 is their best vintage since its creation.

What the Critics Are Saying:

Pichon Baron 2025

99 Points, Peter Moser, www.falstaff.com:

“Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate rim brightening. Ripe black cherries, fine cassis, a hint of precious wood, delicate nougat, tobacco nuances, inviting bouquet. Taut, tightly woven, ripe cherry fruit, extract-sweet texture, fine tannins, freshly structured, mineral-lemon nuances on the finish, shows energy and length, sure maturity potential.”

97-99 Points, Jeff Leve, www.thewinecellarinsider.com:

“The complex aromatic profile expresses flowers, black currants, licorice, black cherries, cocoa, espresso, cigar wrappers, and a touch of mint. The palate delivers a beautiful combination of vitality, sweetness, energy, and purity in the fruits. The long, vibrant finish is packed with layers of fruits. Yet, even with all the concentration, there is an elegance, and regal charm meshed with power. The endnotes continue expanding, and building long after the wine has left the glass. This modern classic will be great with just 3-5 years of bottle age. It also has the potential to age and evolve for 3 - 4 decades.”

Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2025

94 Points, Jane Anson, www.insidebordeaux.com:

“This is highly appealing, a little more Merlot in the blend and certainly it gives a ripe roundness but the location of these Merlots always adds structure also. Energy, black fruit, campfire, very enjoyable. 50% new oak. 3.67 pH.” 04/26

Also Available: Château Suduiraut 2025

Beyond the headline reds of the campaign, Château Suduiraut continues to distinguish itself as one of Bordeaux’s most versatile estates. The 2025 Vieilles Vignes Blanc Sec offers a striking counterpoint to wines like Pichon Baron. Where Pauillac delivers power and structure, Suduiraut, a classified first growth Sauternes, showcases precision, texture, and aromatic complexity. Produced from the highest proportion of Sémillon in the wine’s history, it is a wine of uncommon depth and character.