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Graves

Graves is on the left bank of the Garonne River south of the city of Bordeaux. The appellation takes its name from its soil, which is intensely gravelly thanks to glaciers that melted in the area a few million years ago. Graves is generally thought of as the birthplace of Bordeaux wines, since “claret,” as the English historically called Bordeaux reds, were being produced for export in Graves and shipped to England as early as the 12th century. Some Graves châteaux, including Haut-Brion, trace their history to the late 16th century and Thomas Jefferson was one of several notable wine connoisseurs who wrote admiringly about the wines of Château Haut-Brion. Haut-Brion’s popularity with international celebrities is perhaps why it was the only non-Médoc château to be included in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. Graves makes red and white wines. The reds are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The whites are made of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. The Graves AOC includes nearly 8,000 acres of vineyards. In 1953 a Graves classification was created for red wines, and in 1959 white wines were added.

1959 Château Haut-Brion

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; 4.5 cm ullage; label condition issue

JR  20   
MB  *****   
WS  98   
RP  93   
ST  93   
CC  17.5   

1964 Château Haut-Brion

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; 5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

RP  90   
MB  ****   

1964 Château Haut-Brion

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; 4.5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

RP  90   
MB  ****   

1982 Château Haut-Brion

Label condition issue

MB  *****   
ST  96   
RP  95   
WS  95   
JR  19   

1987 Château Haut-Brion

Light label condition issue

MB  ***   

1994 Château Haut-Brion

Light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  93   

1996 Château Haut-Brion

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

WS  93   
RP  92   
ST  92   
JR  18.5   

2000 Château Haut-Brion

Light label condition issue

RP  99   
ST  96   
WE  96   
WS  94   
JR  18   
6 available
Bid *

2000 Château Haut-Brion

Light label condition issue

RP  99   
ST  96   
WE  96   
WS  94   
JR  18   
2 available
Bid *

2000 Château Haut-Brion

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  99   
ST  96   
WE  96   
WS  94   
JR  18   
2 available
Bid *

2000 Château Haut-Brion

Light label condition issue

RP  99   
ST  96   
WE  96   
WS  94   
JR  18   

2000 Château Haut-Brion

Light label condition issue

RP  99   
ST  96   
WE  96   
WS  94   
JR  18   

1916 Château La Mission Haut Brion

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; heavy label condition issue; previously refurbished

1947 Château La Mission Haut Brion

Heavy capsule condition issue; heavy signs of past seepage; mid shoulder fill; label condition issue

RP  95   
WS  95   

1973 Château La Mission Haut Brion

Light capsule condition issue; top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1976 Château La Mission Haut Brion

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; light signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1976 Château La Mission Haut Brion

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1976 Château La Mission Haut Brion

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; mid shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1981 Château La Mission Haut Brion

Light capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

RP  90   

1982 Château La Mission Haut Brion

Light capsule condition issue; base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  100   
JR  19.5   
JS  97   
ST  95   
WS  94   

1998 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte

WS  94   
RP  90   
ST  90   

1998 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte

Light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  90   
ST  90   

2009 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte

RP  100   
WS  96   
JS  96   
VN  94+    
JR  18   
14 available
Bid *

2009 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte

Light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  96   
JS  96   
VN  94+    
JR  18   
11 available
Bid *

2016 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte

WA  98   
VN  98   
WS  97   
JS  97   
WE  97   
JD  97   
JR  17   
5 available
Bid *