Carmes Haut Brion 2016

Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Case Format: 12x75cl

Max score: 99.0

The lesser-known neighbour of Haut Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Les Carmes Haut Brion are not one to be overlooked. Positioned on the same distinct terroir as its famous counterparts, this Pessac-Léognan estate has been creating beautiful wine for centuries. 7.6 hectares of the 29.6-hectare estate are used to produce Les Carmes Haut Brion. The vineyard is planted with Merlot (c.41%), Cabernet Franc (c.39%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (c.20%). The vines are on average nearly 45 years old, with the oldest being close to 90. Around 45% of their grapes are fermented with the stems intact in a bid to add more freshness and minerality to the wine. After vinification the wines are aged in 100% new French oak barrels, with 5% of the wine aged in clay amphora. The end result is a beautifully complex wine, that comprises silky textures and strong fruity flavours.

IN BOND

CRITIC REVIEWS

95+
Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2016 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a blend of 41% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 65% new and 35% one-year-old oak for 22 months. This vintage represents one of the largest percentages of Cabernet Franc for this wine. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it gives notes of kirsch, black raspberries and black plums with touches of cassis, violets, chocolate box and pencil shavings. The palate is medium-bodied, firm, grainy and lively with loads of layers and a long, well-poised finish.

95
Jane Anson

Slowly but surely, Carmes Haut-Brion is moving from being an estate to watch to one that has fully arrived. This gives the appearance of effortless extraction, where the vibrant black fruits seem artfully placed along the palate, fleshed out with liquorice, dark chocolate, graphite and violet notes. This has the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc on the left bank, and it can be austere at en primeur, but in this vintage the fresh fruit reads as juiciness and persistency. I love it, what a stunning wine, and what a testament to the benefits of investing in terroir. Biodynamic farming also, although not certified. Tasted at the château and again with the UGCs. Technical director Guillaume Pouthier used a good amount of whole bunch pressing, over 20%, because he felt the stalks were ripe.

DELIVERY INFORMATION

Please note the price indicated by Duty Paid shows the cost of the wine with the applicable taxes (Duty & VAT) added.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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VINTAGE

CASE FORMAT

MAX CRITIC SCORE

99.0

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Cru Wine Ltd.

Registered company 08579498. Cru Wine Limited, 109 Hammersmith Road, London, United Kingdom, W14 0QH. VAT Number: GB180547111. All rights reserved.