Château Larrivet Haut-Brion - Pessac-Léognan rouge 2020

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Located in the heart of Léognan, this beautiful 75-hectare estate was purchased in 1987 by Philippe Gervoson, who also heads the Andros company. It produces modern-style wines, featuring full-bodied, approachable reds, while the white has gained significantly in depth and precision. The arrival of Bruno Lemoine as general manager in 2007—the winemaker behind the famous 1990 Montrose (among others)—has allowed the estate to assert even more of its personality. The reds are undeniably charming yet not lacking in elegance, and possess great aging potential. The whites, somewhat in the same vein, are very exuberant aromatically, powerful, and endowed with incredible personality. A sure bet within the appellation.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

This estate, owned by the Gervoson family (Andros Group), consistently produces pleasant, approachable wines distinguished by their aromatic exuberance. Situated on a beautiful terroir in the hills above Léognan, not far from Haut-Bailly and La Louvière, the estate also benefits from modern winemaking facilities, including a brand-new concrete vat room. Bruno Lemoine, director since 2007, and François Gaudichon, cellar master since 2015, bring an added level of precision to the stylistic definition of the wines.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

This winery, at the height of its artistry, has produced a structured wine with lovely notes of red fruit and a promising future. Its impressive tannins blend perfectly with the wine’s freshness. Best enjoyed starting in 2026.

Vinous

About the wine:

Larrivet Haut-Brion 2020 is a powerful, dark wine, dominated by robust Cabernets that give it a strong aromatic presence and remarkable density. This virile, explosive Pessac-Léognan certainly packs a punch. Blackberry, gravel, licorice, and toasted herbs are just some of the notes that make up this deep, full-bodied wine. Superb. 2026–2040

James Suckling

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The 2020 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is a magnificent and incredibly satisfying Pessac. It is certainly among the best vintages I have tasted from this estate. It features plenty of red, blue, and black fruits, along with generous notes of spice, tobacco leaf, truffle, and smoky earth. It develops beautiful complexity and nuance as it sits in the glass. The medium- to full-bodied palate reveals the vintage’s vibrant and elegant style, with ripe tannins, perfect overall balance, and a magnificent finish. If you love great Graves, buy a case of this beauty and savor it over the next two decades. This estate continues to fly under the radar for most consumers. 2023–2043

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

Delicate and fresh on the nose, vibrant and alive with peppery, spicy notes and hints of red licorice. Harmonious on the palate, with a rich, full-bodied flavor of perfectly ripe fruit and spices, enhanced by a wonderful hint of bitterness on the finish. 2027–2042

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

From the very first sip, this wine captivates with its subtle nose of crushed fruit, blackcurrant buds, and raspberry. The beautifully textured tannins add to the enchantment and support a rich, luscious body. The wine is pleasing in its overall harmony. A wine full of elegance and finesse, very well-balanced, graceful, and capable of being enjoyed relatively young or aged further. A sensuality carried over from this vintage: undoubtedly the château’s signature. Larrivet Haut-Brion confirms its reputation with this beautiful wine.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The bouquet of the 2020 Larrivet Haut-Brion exudes grandeur right from the start. It unfolds with poise and reveals numerous facets. The aging process serves as the cornerstone of the nose without being overpowering; it carries the entire bouquet. The attack beautifully captures this complexity, blending freshness, richness, and fullness. The tannins are powerful yet refined, providing a solid foundation for the entire palate. A precise, savory, and compelling wine. A truly magnificent success! 2026–2045