C des Carmes Haut Brion 2022

Order wine : C des Carmes Haut Brion 2022

Pessac-Léognan

95-96/100 James Suckling

When to drink it: 2026 - 2037

Excellent purity of fruit and brightness to this wine with a medium to full body, crushed stone and fresh acidity. Tannins are open with a creamy texture. 30% whole cluster. Nicely framed. Vineyard here is close to Smith Haut Lafitte. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

James Suckling

It's difficult to consider it a second wine:

C des Carmes Haut-Brion is not simply a second wine designed to replicate the style of the grand vin. It comes primarily from the estate's Martillac vineyards, on soils of gravel, tawny sand, and clay, which give it its own distinct identity. This unique origin makes it a true terroir wine, with its own personality, character, and singular aromatic expression. More than just an accessible version of Carmes Haut-Brion, it reveals another facet of the estate, offering a different interpretation of the landscape and the vintage.

A wine of terroir

Its blend is predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, sometimes complemented by a touch of Petit Verdot. While the flagship wine of Carmes Haut-Brion is distinguished by a strong presence of Cabernet Franc and a very atypical character for Bordeaux, Le C adopts a more classic approach in its composition. This relative simplicity does not detract from its depth: the fruit takes center stage, supported by a silky texture, remarkable freshness, and smoky, floral, and spicy notes that recall the estate's DNA.

A wine of emotion

What makes Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion particularly appealing is its ability to evoke emotion without trying to impress. It possesses the natural elegance of great Pessac-Léognan wines, but with a lusciousness and immediacy that make it irresistible in its youth. On the palate, it often offers a rare balance between vibrant fruit, mineral tension, and fine tannins. A unique wine, which doesn't live in the shadow of its elder sibling but asserts its own identity.

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