Bordeaux 2025: Les Carmes Haut-Brion and Beychevelle

Yet again, Guillaume Pouthier has created one of the most charismatic and downright beautiful wines of the vintage. As always, Les Carmes Haut-Brion employs its winning formula of Bouchet (old vine Cabernet Franc), whole cluster fermentations, gentle extractions or “infusions”, and sympathetic aging in barrels and amphora. The 2025 is alive. It’s one of the most vibrant and joyous expressions of the vintage with a glorious array of aromas, layer after layer of sumptuous fruit and minerals, all complimented by effortlessly graceful tannins. Trust us, this is a wine you don’t want to miss!

Another triumph of the vintage is the wonderful Chateau Beychevelle 2025. Our team thought this was the best barrel sample we’ve ever tasted at this historic St Julien property, a view shared by leading critic, Neal Martin. As with the Carmes Haut-Brion, this is vivacious and classy with a luxurious mid-palate and a sophisticated tannic architecture and ranks amongst the best wines in this high performing appellation.

We would also like to commend Beychevelle’s sister property, Chateau Beaumont. 35% of the vineyard has been sacrificed, dramatically reducing the production, but radically improving the quality. The 2025 is really impressive and offers a lot of wine for a mere £125 per dozen.

CRITICS' NOTES

“The 2025 Les Carmes Haut-Brion comes from clay-limestone soils and was picked from September 7 to 19, with a high level of Cabernet Franc (54%) and lower Merlot (17%). This vintage has 65% whole cluster, similar to 2022, raised in 70% new oak barrels, 19% in 18hl foudres and 11% amphoras. This takes time to open on the nose: blacker, darker fruit than the Le C, black plum and touches of iris flower. Very pure, very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins on the entry, crunchy in the mouth, black fruit interlaced with Earl Grey, subtle ash-like notes. Linear towards the finish but very sustained in the mouth, there is plenty of energy in this Les Carmes-Haut-Brion and it should age with style and grace. More sapidity on the finish than the Dead Sea. 13.1% alcohol. Drinking Window 2032 – 2060” 95-97/100 Neal Martin, vinous.com

“The 2025 Beychevelle was picked from September 5 to 21 at 31 hl/ha, fairly reasonable for Saint-Julien this year, albeit the second lowest after 2013. Matured in 70% new oak, this has a concentrated nose with blackcurrants, blueberry, inkwell and light violet scents. Very fine definition, a Beychevelle that leans on the more opulent side aromatically, though always controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety smooth entry that lends it sensuality. Extremely precise, exquisite pure fruit, quite mineral-driven with a very long, quite sensual finish. I don't think Philippe Blanc has overseen a Beychevelle as good as this. 13.4% alcohol. Drinking Window 2032 – 2060” 95-97/100 Neal Martin, vinous.com