The prestigious Château Haut-Brion occupies a surprisingly large number of ¿firsts¿. Created in 1553 by Jean de Pontac, Haut-Brion was the first Bordeaux wine to bear the name of the property, in a period when wine was generally sold anonymously. It was the first château to implement techniques that are now considered essential, such as the racking and ageing of wines in oak barrels; it was the only grand cru from the Graves region in the 1855 classification and was, of course, ranked as a first growth. There are no poor years at Haut-Brion, which has been owned by the Dillon family since 1935. Selective harvesting, reduced yields and long, careful ageing (22 months in new barrels) contribute to the production of a magnificent wine. Earlier maturing than the other grands crus, Haut Brion develops a legendary finesse, with very smooth notes of ripe blackcurrants and minerals. In great vintages it is perfectly capable of ageing for several decades. Some years in particular, such as 1961 and 1989, have revealed the incredible potential of Haut Brion, which is undoubtedly one of the greatest red wines in the world.