This minuscule 3-acre vineyard located within the Haut-Brion vineyard used to be called La Passion Haut-Brion and old-timers will no doubt remember the remarkable wines that emerged from this parcel. Now under new owners with Stephane Derenoncourt as the consultant, the 2010 resurrects the memories of those previous beauties. A 300-case blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon that attained 14.5% natural alcohol, it reveals aromas of smoky barbecue, graphite, black currants and cherries. A classic Graves displaying medium to full body, wonderful elegance and plenty of potential complexity, it should drink well for 15 or more years.

Two years ago I referred to this as Le Passion Haut Brion, but that name was sacrificed to avoid a potential lawsuit. This is a tiny jewel of a vineyard (just over three acres) right in the heart of the Haut Brion vineyard. Not surprisingly, the wine is stunning. Made from 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Stephane Derenoncourt as the consultant, the wine displays loads of classic smoky tobacco notes intermixed with wet gravel, black currants, graphite and plum. The wine has great fruit, beautiful texture, medium to full-bodied roundness, and a gentle, velvety-textured, subtle finish. As one might expect, this beauty has some of the character of the surrounding historic estate of Haut Brion.