Bordeaux 2024: Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Guillaume Pouthier does things his way – and it seems to work!

Les Carmes Haut-Brion is an unconventional proposition: a single clos set within the city limits, Bouchet (old vine Cabernet Franc) clones, infusion with the musts, whole bunch fermentations and part aging in amphora… One might expect the final wine to be a bit wacky. Yet, as ever, Les Carmes ‘24 is another triumph for Guillaume and his team, a labour of love, after the strictest of selections, and ultimately one of the wines of the vintage. Ahead of the release, the team cheekily forwarded the reviews of all (24!) critics, highlighting that for almost all Les Carmes was ranked in their top five wines. It is a truly must-have wine, followers of this address will not be disappointed. This is a 2024 that will stand shoulder to shoulder with the magnificent 2022 and 2023.

“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 [sic] Pouthier.” 95-97/100 – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

“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.” 94-96/100 – Neal Martin, Vinous