92-94 Points | International Wine Cellar , April 2012

(46% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and 19% cabernet franc blend; 3.61 pH):  Dark ruby-red.  Big, rich and creamy on entry, then tighter and a bit austere in the middle, showing pure cassis, red berry and mineral flavors that carry through nicely on the rising finish.  Very fine-grained Haut-Brion with a lingering cocoa nuance.  Technical director Masclef noted that the team did shorter cuvaisons of about 15 days, vs. a typical 21, and at slightly lower temperatures too.  I think the high-quality cabernet franc here has helped this wine gain a measure of refinement that is not always there in vintages with higher proportions of merlot.  Another potentially great Haut Brion, more austere and less fleshy than recent efforts but very classic.

92-95 Points | Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate