Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France
The 2012 Les Carmes Haut-Brion was the first vintage with whole bunches (40%) and 18 months in barrel. It was the introductory vintage under current winemaker Guillaume Pouthier. This is much more enticing on the nose after the 2011: well-defined black cherries, cola, peppermint, light rose petal scents and a hint of marmalade that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, more freshness and tension than the 2011, and frankly, you would never be able to tell there was whole bunch here. This appears to be maturing with style and panache, but it will give another decade or more of drinking pleasure. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2012)
The 2012 Les Carmes Haut-Brion was the first vintage with whole bunches (40%) and 18 months in barrel. It was the introductory vintage under current winemaker Guillaume Pouthier. This is much more enticing on the nose after the 2011: well-defined black cherries, cola, peppermint, light rose petal scents and a hint of marmalade that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, more freshness and tension than the 2011, and frankly, you would never be able to tell there was whole bunch here. This appears to be maturing with style and panache, but it will give another decade or more of drinking pleasure. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2012)
Tasty but a bit rustic on opening. Will be interesting to see if that settles down and more fruit comes through. On DAY 2, this was phenomenal and so well integrated.
Tasty but a bit rustic on opening. Will be interesting to see if that settles down and more fruit comes through. On DAY 2, this was phenomenal and so well integrated.
Aug 16th, 2018limestone blk cherry cola bright entry still young tight tannins but trending towards elegance
limestone blk cherry cola bright entry still young tight tannins but trending towards elegance
Nov 27th, 2015Be patient - we decanted for about an hour and the wine, while still very good and awfully smooth, was a little closed with a slightly latex finish to go along with the gorgeous tannins. But as dinner went on, it opened up, fulfilling the promise of its raspberry sauce nose and currents of black currant candy. Eager to try other vintages.
Be patient - we decanted for about an hour and the wine, while still very good and awfully smooth, was a little closed with a slightly latex finish to go along with the gorgeous tannins. But as dinner went on, it opened up, fulfilling the promise of its raspberry sauce nose and currents of black currant candy. Eager to try other vintages.
Apr 5th, 2020
Mazzaros, 4-27-19 pricey 75.99 opened up well.
Mazzaros, 4-27-19 pricey 75.99 opened up well.
Apr 29th, 2019
If you've got Haut Brion in your name I'm probably going to like you. A tiny estate making classic Bordeaux. Really nice.
If you've got Haut Brion in your name I'm probably going to like you. A tiny estate making classic Bordeaux. Really nice.
Feb 1st, 2015
