94 points John Gilman The 1971 Haut-Brion continues to drink beautifully and remains right in the center of its plateau of peak maturity. I have drunk this wine on four or five occasions in the last couple of years and it has always performed with distinction, but this most recent bottle in late August was one of the best I have tasted in recent times, with a bit more backend grip and structural chassis that has been evident in some of the other, perfumed and very velvety examples that I have enjoyed. This most recent bottle was stellar, wafting from the glass in a complex and classic Haut-Brion blend of cassis, charred tobacco, a nice touch of meatiness, singed soil tones and a very smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and utterly suave on the attack, with a lovely core of fruit, impeccable balance and a very, very long and focused finish that closes with still a faint touch of backend tannin. Most recent bottles have been around 93 points, but this was even better! 94+  (7/2017)