Pessac, Bordeaux When one speaks of Chateau Haut Brion, one speaks of legends, the only estate that can boast the distinction between Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855 and Cru Classé de Graves. The history of the estate is crazy with almost 500 years of history behind it. The first real owner was Jean de Pontac, who received part of the Seigneurie de Haut-Brion lands as a dowry following his marriage to Jeanne de Bellon in 1525. In 1533, he bought the entire property and in 1549 began the construction of today's Chateau. Over the centuries, many noble families succeeded one another and the fame of Haut Brion wines grew by leaps and bounds. In 1935, the definitive turning point came when Clarence Dillon, a New York banker with a passion for wine, took over the entire property. With him began the modernisation of the entire estate, which would continue with his granddaughter Joan Dillon, who took over in 1975, and her husband the Duke of Mouchy. Now in the saddle is Prince Robert of Luxembourg who completes the structure with certified sustainable materials, given his great concern for the environment, which as we shall see is reflected in his masterpieces. Haut Brion is a Grand Cru Classé according to the prestigious 19855 classification and is in the company of Châteaux Margaux, Lafite and Latour. The terroir is incredible thanks to a mild climate and oceanic influences in addition to those of the nearby Landes forest. The soil is rich in gravel with a clay, limestone and sandy subsoil dating back 3 million years. The approach to viticulture is absolutely natural, systemic chemistry is repudiated as is limited human intervention. The focus on clean production is rewarded with the 2018 HVE and 2019 ISO certifications.