| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This small (7.82 hectare) property is planted with 35% Merlot , 44% Cabernet Franc (the Bouchet clone as found at Lafleur) and 21% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a stunning new winery designed by Philippe Starck. This is the closest vineyard to the city of Bordeaux and is a "clos" - surrounded by a stone wall as in Burgundy. Consequently they never suffer frost here and bud burst and flowering are regularly ahead of everyone else. Winemaker Guillaume Pouthier previously worked at Chapoutier in the Rhône, and regularly uses up to half whole bunch fermentation. This is currently one of Bordeaux's hottest properties and when we said to Guillaume that the style reminded us of Jamet Côte Rôtie he understood that this was high praise indeed from Farr Vintners! There was huge praise and massive scores from the critics for the 2019 and 2020 vintages, the 2021 came in the top three at the annual "Southwold Group" tasting and the 2022 received a perfect 100 point rating in the Wine Advocate. Les Carmes Haut Brion is rapidly becoming a superstar! Make no mistake, this unique château is producing wines of first growth quality which currently sell for a fraction of the price. This is a property to watch and a wine to buy.
In 2024, flowering was 15 days ahead of most other vineyards and the crop was all in by the 27th of September. The yield was 44 hl/ha but, after an intensive sorting process, only 24 hl/ha was used to make the wine. There was 52% whole bunch used which has helped keep the alcohol down to 13.2%. (the grapes were picked at a potential 13.9 ABV). It is 48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot. It is being aged in 70% new oak, 19% in 18 hl vats and 11% in amphora. No pump-overs or pigeage. No chaptalisation needed (almost unique in 2024). This wine looks, smells and tastes like it's from a different vintage.
The 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion contains more Cabernet Franc at 48% of the blend. Picked between September 17 and 27 using 52% whole bunch, this is aged in 70% new barrels, 19% new foudres and 11% amphora. This has impressive fruit concentration on the nose with redcurrant and blackberry fruit, hints of cassis and a dab of dark chocolate. Fine delineation. After time, there is something that nods to the Northern Rhône without losing typicité. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh with fine tannins, a subtle pepperiness imparted by the whole bunches and a tingle of pain d'épices towards the finish. Very harmonious and very delicious, this should provide 20 to 25 years of drinking pleasure. 13.2% abv. 2031 - 2060
One of the most impressive wines of the vintage, the 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a striking effort that sets itself apart with seamless integration, even at this early stage, and a strong sense of identity. Poised, precise and unmistakably singular, it opens in the glass with a perfumed bouquet of iris, violet, dark berries, cherries, vine smoke and gentian. Medium to full-bodied, supple and notably fleshy for the vintage, it’s layered and textural, with a sappy, enveloping core of pure, vibrant fruit framed by finely grained, velvety tannins, culminating in a long, precise and gently stemmy finish. This is one of the rare wines of the vintage where sappiness is expressed with such finesse and charm, thanks in no small part to meticulous vineyard work and severe sorting in the winery. The blend is composed of 48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot, and it's maturing in a combination of 70% new oak, 19% foudres and 11% amphorae.
Shiny ruby-purple in the glass. This nose here is very fragrant, with blue fruit, pepper, violets and dried herbs all on show. The palate is spicy and slick, the fruit wonderfully seasoned by notes of salt and pepper. Layered pink, green and white peppercorns come through with notes of blueberry, summer fruits and glossy red cherries. The texture is also satiny for the vintage, the tannins folding beautifully into the fruit. Long and very well balanced, with the vibrancy of the year perfectly handled. One of the wines of the vintage, a testament to the improvements made at this estate over the last 12 years.
Deep garnet-purple colored. Slowly unfurls to reveal classic Franc notes of red currant jelly, fresh blackberries, and pencil shavings, followed by hints of rose oil, fragrant soil, and crushed rocks. The light to medium-bodied palate shimmers with electric red and black berry flavors, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. Nice!
60-year-old vines on clay and limestone. 48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot. 52% whole bunches. pH 3.61. Aging 70% in new oak barriques, 19% in vats of 18 hl and 11% in amphorae.
Inky depths to the colour, touch of reduction on the opening as is often the case with En Primeur Carmes, this delivers energy, density, clarity. Austerity on the finish, but plenty of interest, savoury and muscular juicy black fruits, expect a wine that is built around about texture, architecture and savour, which is not something that I have found in many bottles in the vintage. 90% new oak, split between barrels and casks, 11% amphoras. Harvest 17 to 27 September. 3.61 pH, clay and limestone, 60 years old average vine age. 46hl/H yield in vineyard, 41hl/h after picking selection, then 24hl/h after cellar selection. All press used, no chaptilisation.
Seamless and silky in the glass, with superb balance, the 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is one of the wines of the vintage. All the elements are so well balanced, always a sign of a superior vintage at this address. Floral notes, spice, leather and mocha run through a core of layered, beautifully persistent dark red fruit. Harvest took place between September 17 and 25, during one of the rare windows with little rain. As always, Les Carmes is done with a high percentage of stems (52%), specifically 100% for the Cabernet Franc, 50% for the Merlot and 20% for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Aging is 70% new oak barrels, 19% 18HL foudre and 11% amphora. New oak is already very nicely integrated, another sign of a superb vintage. The 2024 is a brilliant effort by the team led by Technical Director Olivier Pouthier. 2034 - 2054
This is always an idiosyncratic wine. This year it’s stunning, with a unique floral aspect and excellent depth of pure blue fruit, mulberries, dried herbs and white pepper. So juicy and mouthwatering on the palate, with a medium to full body and fine tannins. There is a crystalized mouthfeel, but the tannins are fresh and well knit. This is already delicious, which indicates its superb balance. 48% cabernet franc, 29% cabernet sauvignon and 23% merlot.
