Château Les Carmes Haut Brion, Pessac Léognan
    Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

    Château Les Carmes Haut Brion, Pessac Léognan, 2022

    96/100
    Inside Bordeaux
    97-99/100
    The Wine Independent
    100/100
    Vinous
    Available Vintages
    portfolio

    1. 2022

      6x75cl

      DP

      Sold Out

    Justerini & Brooks Tasting note

    Guillaume Pouthier described 2002 as a year of, "Waiting. Patience. Worry. Wonder." As ever, one of the most singular and interesting expression from Bordeaux thanks to its high proportion of Cabernet Franc (40%) and the use of whole bunches (predominantly used on the two Cabernet varietals). Guillaume explained that the fruit was harvested at a potential alcohol of 14.8%, but arrived at 13.5% as a result use of whole bunch fermentations. Initially the bouquet is compact, but clearly displays real promise. With aeration, redolent Cabernet Franc aromas of crisp berries, rosemary, iris, peonies, a touch of white pepper and gorgeous floral fruits emerge. This is more baritone than the C des Carmes, showing a real depth and breadth of fruit on the sumptuous mid-palate. Layers of taut, perfectly ripe fruit, redcurrants, spices, some fine mineral notes - this has wonderful texture and mouthfeel. Guillaume explained that this is very much a case of "less is more". The macerations were an infusion, extracting only the most noble flavours and most refined tannins. It finishes with haunting length and long reverberating tannins. An absolute beauty. Aged in 70% new oak barrels, 20% 18hl casks and 10% amphora.

    delivery information
    GUARANTEED PROVENANCE

    Critic Reviews

    96/100
    Jane Anson,
    Inside Bordeaux
    Intense ruby colour, careful extraction. Love this, less in the style of the vintage in terms of exuberance than many, with a trace of austerity to the architecture. Has keeps its distinct character, showing mint leaf, crushed rose petals, vivid with a purity of fruit expression. The 70% limestone is distinctive, the high Cabernet Franc is distinctive, and the choices they make in the cellar underline these distinctions. Guillaume Pouthier director, Guillaume Deschepper technical director. First year ageing, with 70% new oak, second year move into larger oak casks and 10% amphoras. 70% whole cluster.
    drinking window 2027 - 2046
    date of review 03/2025
    100/100
    Antonio Galloni,
    Vinous
    The 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a towering masterpiece from Technical Director Guillaume Pouthier. Dark and seamless in the glass, the 2022 presents an exotic mélange of black cherry, lavender, sage, blood orange, menthol, espresso and dried flowers, showing tremendous depth and substance in all of its dimensions. Time in the glass hints as to what is to come in the years and decades that follow. The 2022 is a co-ferment of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot done with 70% stems that saw six full weeks on the skins. Élevage is 70% new oak, 20% 18HL cask and 10% amphora. Most importantly, all the elements are so well balanced that nothing sticks out. Instead, it is the wine's total sense of harmony that is mind-blowing. Magnificent.
    drinking window 2030 - 2072
    date of review 01/2025
    97-99/100
    Lisa Perrotti-Brown,
    The Wine Independent
    The 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 26% Merlot, 90% aging in oak (70% new barriques, 20% 18hl casks) and 10% in amphoras. Deep garnet-purple in color, it pops out of the glass with lifted notes of redcurrant jelly, wild blueberries, blackcurrant pastilles, and lavender, leading to cerebral wafts of cast-iron pan, dark chocolate, and dusty soil with a hint of licorice. The red and black berry flavors do pirouettes on the medium-bodied palate, featuring incredibly fine-grained tannins and fantastic tension that gives a shimmer to the very long mineral-laced finish. As usual, the alcohol is 13.5% (the stem inclusion absorbs some of the alcohol during fermentation) and the pH is 3.64. This is a vibrant, showy, immediately impactful wine that flies in the face of traditional Bordeaux, carrying it off with bags of grace and style. A slight carbonic character from the whole bunch juxtaposed by a rock-solid structure thanks to the ripe stem tannins creates a unique signature. I personally love it, but if you're a Bordeaux purest, this might not be your cup of tea.
    drinking window 2030 - 2065
    date of review 05/2023

    product details

    Specifications

    Country:
    France
    Region:
    Bordeaux
    Appellation:
    Pessac Léognan
    style:
    Red Wine
    Grape Variety:
    Cab Sauvignon Merlot
    abv:
    13%

    allergen information

    This product may contain sulphites. Full allergen information is available upon request, please call our Customer Relations Team on +44 (0)20 7484 6430.