Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion
About Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion
In 1584, Jean de Pontac, the Lord of Haut-Brion donated several acres of meadows and vines to the Carmelite Order, therein planting the seed that would eventually become Château les Carmes Haut-Brion. A lesser known neighbour of châteaux Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion in the Pessac-Léognan region of Bordeaux, Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a jewel of a property, positioned on the same bank of gravel (graves) as its more famous namesakes. The estate was confiscated during the French Revolution and purchased by the Léon Colin in 1840. Château les Carmes Haut-Brion remained under the same ownership until 2010, when it was acquired by Patrice Pichet in 2010, who added more acreage to the estate, replanted the vineyards to a higher vine density and improved their winemaking facilities. In addition to producing a red grand vin named Château les Carmes Haut-Brion, the estate produces the red second wine Le C des Carmes.
Viniculture
Named for the order of monks who owned the property in centuries gone by, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion has the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc planted in its vineyard across the entire Left Bank. Its terroir is classical Pessac-Léognan in all its majesty – two sloping banks of deep gravel bound by rich clay and sand, giving rise to wines which, although requiring patience to unfurl, are amongst the finest expressions of the style in modern Bordeaux.
Under the watchful eye of highly renowned consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, there has been a significant shift towards biodynamic practices at the estate as well as modern advances in the winery such as aging in clay amphoras. Completed for the 2015 vintage and designed by Philippe Starck, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion's state-of-the-art winery and cellar are partially submerged under the estate’s natural lake to give the impression of a ship’s hull.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€679.73 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (98)I wasn't able to taste the 2019 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion from barrel, but it certainly brings the goods from bottle. Deep ruby/purple-hued, with a smorgasbord-like array of red, blue, and black fruits as well as violets, candied flowers, tobacco, and sappy herbs, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, concentrated mouthfeel, flawless balance, and that rare mix of power and elegance that truly great Pessac can deliver. Showing the more elegant style of the vintage, it checks in behind the magical, perfect 2018 but is very much in the style of the 2016. Readers will love having this beauty in the cellar, and it will evolve for 40-50 years if stored correctly. Hats off to winemaker Guillaume Pouthier for another thrilling wine. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 100 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. TAX
€1,212.41 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)The 2020 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a total stunner. For the first time I can remember, Les Carmes Haut-Brion marries all of its elements so well that nothing stands out. In the past, the high percentage of Franc and/or the whole clusters were evident. The 2020 is the first modern vintage in which all the elements are so well balanced. Dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint, lavender, dried herbs and incense all build in a ravishing Pessac-Léognan that will take your breath away. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. TAX
€903.61 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)The 2021 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is very possibly the wine of the vintage. Vertical and explosive, the 2021 possesses mind-blowing intensity and dynamic energy to burn. The 2021 is a heady, racy wine that captivates all the senses. Tobacco, mocha, cedar, leather, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and plum saturate the palate in a wine that dazzles from start to finish. The 2021 was bottled in late September 2023, much later than most wines, yet it is so expressive today. It was magnificent from barrel, and it is every bit as breathtaking today. Quite simply, Les Carmes is on another level. Bravo! |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (JD) |
In Bond
€554.00 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (98)I wasn't able to taste the 2019 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion from barrel, but it certainly brings the goods from bottle. Deep ruby/purple-hued, with a smorgasbord-like array of red, blue, and black fruits as well as violets, candied flowers, tobacco, and sappy herbs, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, concentrated mouthfeel, flawless balance, and that rare mix of power and elegance that truly great Pessac can deliver. Showing the more elegant style of the vintage, it checks in behind the magical, perfect 2018 but is very much in the style of the 2016. Readers will love having this beauty in the cellar, and it will evolve for 40-50 years if stored correctly. Hats off to winemaker Guillaume Pouthier for another thrilling wine. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 100 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
€998.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)The 2020 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a total stunner. For the first time I can remember, Les Carmes Haut-Brion marries all of its elements so well that nothing stands out. In the past, the high percentage of Franc and/or the whole clusters were evident. The 2020 is the first modern vintage in which all the elements are so well balanced. Dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint, lavender, dried herbs and incense all build in a ravishing Pessac-Léognan that will take your breath away. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
€738.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)The 2021 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is very possibly the wine of the vintage. Vertical and explosive, the 2021 possesses mind-blowing intensity and dynamic energy to burn. The 2021 is a heady, racy wine that captivates all the senses. Tobacco, mocha, cedar, leather, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and plum saturate the palate in a wine that dazzles from start to finish. The 2021 was bottled in late September 2023, much later than most wines, yet it is so expressive today. It was magnificent from barrel, and it is every bit as breathtaking today. Quite simply, Les Carmes is on another level. Bravo! |