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B-21 Top Recommendation
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Described over recent vintages as “one of Bordeaux’s stars” by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these high scoring 98-100 pt. selections from Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion are among Pessac-Leognan’s most unique and age worthy blends from three top vintages, reflecting Les Carmes Haut-Brion’s “distinctive, Cabernet Franc-driven DNA” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley and all incredibly priced well below its First Growth neighbors.
Situated just a few rows of houses away from Chateau Haut-Brion, Les Carmes Haut Brion was once part of the First Growth with roots dating back to the 16th century, enjoying a stratospheric rise in quality led by the former winemaker of iconic Rhone producer M. Chapoutier Guillaume Pouthier along with renowned consultant Stephane Derenoncourt under the ownership of Patrice Pichet since 2010. Described as “a magical terroir” by Jeb Dunnuck, the Grand Vin is sourced from the top 7.6 hectares of the estate’s sustainably farmed 30 hectares of vines planted mostly to Cabernet Franc and Merlot with about a fifth Cabernet Sauvignon, the best terroir near the Chateau boasting Cab Franc vines dating back to World War II. Declared “a dead ringer for Haut-Brion” by Jeb Dunnuck, the magnificent 100 pt. 2018 Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot matured in 75% new French oak barrels along with 16% foudres and 9% in terracotta amphoras for 24 months, revealing intensely aromatic, concentrated earthy black fruit with crushed stone and seamless, supple tannins, described as a “wine of dazzling intensity and stature” by Antonio Galloni of Vinous and summed up as “a total knockout” built to deliver the goods over the next 30 plus years. A blend of 48% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot aged for 24 months in 84% new French oak barrels with 7% in foudres and 9% in terracotta amphoras, the elegant 98 pt. 2019 Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion is called “a gorgeous 2019” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson layering fresh, luscious aromatic fruit with refined, integrated tannins and boasting “a drinkability that makes you want a glass now, but could happily be enjoyed decades from now” according to Decanter’s Georgina Hindle, ranking #18 on Decanter’s Top Wines of 2023. Described as a “heavenly wine” that “you probably couldn't have too much of in the cellar” by Jeb Dunnuck, the full-bodied 2020 Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot aged in 80% new French oak barrels along with 11% in foudres and 9% in terracotta amphoras for 24 months, yielding a thrilling and exquisitely balanced blend summed up by Vinous critic Neal Martin as “a serious Les Carmes Haut-Brion with a very long future ahead.”
Summing up the magical, riveting qualities of Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Jeb Dunnuck offers unequivocal advice: “Believe the hype,” these top vintages of Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion promising the epic ageability of its First Growth neighbor and value priced for Bordeaux collectors to stock the cellar at a fraction of the price. |
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The 2018 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a rock star of a wine and is based on a unique blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 29% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. Offering a deep ruby/purple color as well as a thrilling bouquet of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, violets, damp earth, and truffle, it hits the palate with a full-bodied yet almost understated, building style that carries ripe, supple tannins, gorgeous amounts of smoky black fruits, and an endearing, layered, multi-dimensional texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. A dead ringer for a great vintage of Haut-Brion, it is far from unapproachable today yet needs 7-8 years of bottle age for the fireworks to develop and will have 50-years or more of longevity! Hats off to Guillaume Pouthier for a magical, seamless, singular beauty!
100 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2021)
This powerful, full of complex layers of raspberry, blackberry, smoked earth, rosemary and turmeric spice, but running underneath it all is clear salinity and grip. The personality and poise of this wine overtakes the vintage, not an easy thing to do in a year that is as powerful as 2018 and on a warm site such as Carmes Haut-Brion. Touches of saffron and salt-licked as it opens, sage, freshly grilled dried herbs and gourmet espresso and brioche. Enjoyable. 3.62pH, and harvest at almost 1% ABV higher than you find in the final bottle. Ageing takes place in a mix of 25% new oak, 5% oak casks, and 10% amphoras, with 55% stems during fermentation, and natural yeasts.
98 points, Jane Anson (Feb 2022)
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