| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
La Clarté Haut Brion is the new name for Les Plantiers Haut Brion - the second white wine of both Haut Brion Blanc and La Mission Haut Brion Blanc with around 1000 cases produced annually.
Dense and layered with dried-citrus and lanolin aromas and flavors. Some lemon-grass undertones as well. Full body. Attractive texture and length. A little oily. Better after 2021.
A blend of 69% Semillon and 31% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2017 La Clarte de Haut-Brion tumbles out of the glass with gregarious notes of fresh grapefruit, peach blossoms, and lemon curd, plus wafts of oyster shell and dill seed. The medium-bodied, satin-textured palate delivers mouth-coating citrus and chalky layers, finishing with great length and freshness.
This is an exceptionally good Clarté, a second wine to buy this year if you possibly can, underlining just what exceptional whites have been produced at the Haut-Brion stable in 2017. It has lovely aromatics, with persistent flavours of exotic stone fruit, white flowers, soft rosemary and slatey minerality. It's generous without losing focus. Just 7% of production was put into Clarendelle. Harvested 22 to 31 August. 60% new oak.
Drinking Window 2019 - 2028
Mostly Semillon, with 30.6% Sauvignon Blanc, the light gold-hued 2017 Le Clarte De Haut-Brion has a bright, racy, delicious style that's loaded with notions of ripe lemon and pineapple fruit as well as plenty of spice and salty minerality. It's medium-bodied, elegant, and beautifully balanced.
The 2017 La Clarté de Haut-Brion has fresh lime, green apple and honeysuckle aromas. The palate is nicely balanced with a rounded entry, not amazing complexity. A touch of acacia honey towards the end just dips before the finish line. 2019-2022.
That lovely mealy spice of restrained but top-class oak. Zest and orange pith. Bright citrus. Deep, crisp and a little creamy. Deep and long.
Drink 2019-2025
The 2017 Clarté is made from 31% Sauvignon Blanc and 69% Semillon. Initially bright in citrus aromas, with grapefruit, zesty lemons and a little tangerine, the spice on the nose is subtle. On the palate this is citrusy and zesty with grapefruit and lemon peel on entry. The palate gains in waxy weight through the mid palate but this is compact, vibrant and approachable.
The nose has depth of fruit the palate a rich mix of pineapple and tropical fruits. The mid richness is underpinned by lime and gooseberry crisp and fresh at the back with a hint of mineral on the finish. Drink 2019-2029.
Superbly bright and crunchy with a terrific burst of acidity and pineapple husk freshness. This is a lovely, immediately appealing wine with masses of herb and near-tropical excitement. It can barely contain its enthusiasm in the glass. It is like this wine has been given permission to go out and let its hair down from day one. Unlike the monastic calm of the Grands Vins, this is a happy-go-lucky Clarté and it this lust for life and zestiness really suits this style.
The 2017 La Clarté de Haut Brion was picked from 22 to 31 August. It has an attractive lime flower, fresh pear and white flower scented bouquet that opens with aeration. The palate is nicely defined with crisp acidity, quite tensile in the mouth with a slightly short finish that just tends to flesh out during the remainder of its barrel maturation. Drink 2019-2024.
This shows beautiful density and layers for a baby white with cooked apples, pears and hints of yogurt. Full-bodied, fresh and bright.
Composed of 69.4% Sémillon and 30.6% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2017 La Clarté de Haut-Brion opens with very sprightly peaches and fresh lemon juice notes with nuances of honeysuckle and chalk dust. The palate is medium-bodied with vibrant citrus and stone fruit flavors, finishing long and chalky.
