Region | |
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Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-LĂ©ognan |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
The second wine of Chateau Haut Brion is assembled from the vats that don't suit the final blend of Haut Brion itself. From 2007 onwards it has been known as Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (instead of Bahans Haut Brion), in tribute to Clarence Dillon who purchased Haut Brion in 1934. It is now also bottled in the iconic and distinctive Haut Brion bottle.
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This has a big start of tannins and fruit, yet the tannins are round and polished. Impressive backbone. Full body. Compact. Lots of blackberry and wet-earth flavors. Powerful finish. As the second wine of Haut-Brion, this shows lots of potential for the vintage. Drink after 2022.
The 2017 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a blend of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.3% Cabernet Franc, and 1.7% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet in color, it needs a little coaxing to uncover notions of stewed red plums, boysenberry preserves, and black raspberries, plus touches of mossy tree bark, black olives, and lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers tight-knit black and red berry layers with a finely grained texture and bold freshness, finishing long and earthy.
The aromatics on the nose are a little subdued at first, but on the palate there is clear density to the fruit, showing great depth and energy. It's a beautiful wine, perhaps a fraction below the ripeness of 2016 and 2015 - the amount of sunshine in July was almost half the average, even though it was extremely dry - but is still generous once it opens up. With no frost, this was an early season all the way through, staying two weeks in advance of average from start to finish. 37% of overall production in this wine.
Drinking Window 2023 - 2036
Deep cherry red. Smells sweeter and darker-fruited than the Chapelle de la Mission just tasted. Gentle dark fruit and light spice. Subtle but fruity on the nose. Firmer and more graphite-scented on the palate but with impressive fruit depth and generosity within a dry, fine-boned tannic structure. Fresh but not strident. Finely balanced and lovely persistence.
Drink 2024-2033
The nose is firm and fresh the palate has structure tight tannins. It opens up in the middle a concentrated mix of black cherry and cassis the sweet fruit giving way to herbal spicy freshness on the finish. Drink 2023-2036.
The nose on Le Clarence is more exotic and more dense and floral than La Chapelle and it shows a darker and more layered outlook, but it is no heavier nor more powerful. There is a spice and plummy sweetness in the core which is very attractive and this is joined by a refreshing finish and super-bright tannins. More serious and more concentrated to the outsider, but still a crunchy and energetic wine. I love the counterpoints between the colour, intensity and weightlessness.
A fresh and bright red with currant, walnut and wet-earth character. Medium to full body, tight tannins and a fresh finish. Second wine of Haut-Brion is focused.
A blend of 55% Merlot, 5.3% Cabernet Franc, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.7% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is deep garnet-purple in color and starts off with youthful notions of cedar chest and crushed blackcurrants, giving way to a core of raspberry pie, kirsch, black cherry compote and unsmoked cigars with a touch of crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating red and black fruits with a firm backbone of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering earthy note. 2020-2037.
The 2017 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a blend of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.3% Cabernet Franc and 1.7% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with aromas of red and black plums, black cherries and cinnamon over dried herbs, underbrush and tobacco nuances. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, with lovely red fruit and an herbal lift on the finish.