Château Haut-Brion Pessac Léognan 1855 1er Cru 1998

This blew everyone away around the table, and was unquestionably the wine of the night at Haut-Brion. Still fully muscular and youthful, but welcoming, impossible to put down, this is just a gorgeous wine that deserves its elevated reputation. Cigar box, tobacco, incense, graphite, cassis, sandalwood, orange peel, saffron, elongated tannins that keep you fully engaged. 73% new oak for ageing. Jean-Bernard Delmas director.