France · Bordeaux

Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is a Pessac-Léognan cru classé classified for both red and white wine under the 1953 Graves classification, an honor that recognizes the quality of its Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon blanc as well as its red. The estate covers approximately 60 hectares, split between red varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) and white (Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon). Its vineyards adjoin Haut-Brion's estate in Léognan, sharing similar deep gravel and sand soils over clay that characterize the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Despite the prestigious neighbor and classified status, Larrivet Haut-Brion has historically been regarded as a solid rather than exceptional performer, though the Gervoson family's 1987 acquisition triggered investments in vineyard and cellar quality with visible improvement from approximately 2005 onward. At auction, 114 lots average $109 per bottle, with both the Rouge and Blanc appearing. The white, based on Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, is particularly notable: aged Pessac-Léognan blanc from good provenance can surprise with nutty, lanolin complexity at 15–20 years that rivals the best white Bordeaux. The 2010 and 2014 blanc, and the 2009 and 2010 rouge, represent the château's best recent auction appearances, trading at $100–$160 for well-stored bottles. The château has also attracted attention from buyers seeking the appellation's exceptional dry whites for aging, as Pessac-Léognan blanc consistently demonstrates the capacity to develop more age-related complexity than any other dry white in Bordeaux.