| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The final blend of 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon tipped the scales at 13.5% natural alcohol. The wine exhibits notes of unsmoked cigar tobacco, scorched earth, red and black currants, and is elegant, tasty and fully mature. It is just beginning to dry out, so consume it over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2014-2018
Readers looking for Bordeaux at its most elegant with a strong Cabernet Franc personality, a la Cheval Blanc, should check out the finesse-filled, delicate offerings from Les Carmes Haut-Brion, a little treasure tucked beside Chateau Haut-Brion in the Bordeaux suburb known as Pessac. These wines are often difficult to judge young as they appear light in their youth, but tend to put on weight with elevage and bottle age.
Tasted on three separate occasions (consistently rated between 89 and 90), the 2003 could be called the “Cheval Blanc of Pessac.” Extremely aromatic, it offers smoky, earthy, sweet black cherry, plum, and fig-like notes as well as a sweet, round mouthfeel, medium body, delicate tannins, a fragile constitution, and beautiful complexity. Irresistible at present, if it puts on weight, it will merit an outstanding rating. Anticipated maturity: now-2017.
Performing better than it did last year, the 2003 Les Carmes Haut-Brion appears to have added weight, but this is still an offering to enjoy for its complex, ethereal aromas of blue and black fruits, smoky herbs, cigar tobacco, earth, and spice. Its complex aromatics are followed by a medium-bodied wine with impressive ripeness, some sweet plum, cherry, and earthy notes, low acidity, and a spicy, heady finish. It doesn’t quite have the complexity of the 1998 or 2000 but reveals a nice sweetness, softness and delicacy. It should drink well for 12-15 years, possibly longer.
This little bijou (jewel-like treasure) has fashioned a light, fragrant, pretty 2003. Readers looking for intensely colored, blockbuster, powerful clarets should stay clear of the finesse-styled Les Carmes Haut-Brion. It reveals a dark ruby color along with delicious aromas of forest floor, ferns, tobacco leaves, and sweet cherry as well as currant fruit. Fragrant, medium-bodied, and already complex, it will drink well young, and last for 10-12 years.
