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Clarence Haut Brion 2022

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Sauvignon

The second wine of Château 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.

The blend this year is 62% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon , 14.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot. 20% new oak.

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Haut Brion

Label

Tasting Notes

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has a slightly higher-toned bouquet than the La Chapelle with blueberry, blackberry, iris petal and strawberry pastille aromas. Playful. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline entry and fine-boned tannins. The 2022 is poised and focused with a sophisticated finish. Superb. 2027-2047

91/93
Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2023

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, the second wine of Château Haut-Brion, is elaborated from a blend of 61.2% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot. It reveals a bright, fruity bouquet with aromas of dark berries, plums, tobacco, graphite and spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, textural and fleshy with structuring tannins and a fresh, tense finish. It is a very nice way to introduce the great wine of Haut-Brion.

91/93+
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate (266), April 2023

A medium- to full-bodied red with fine and lightly chewy tannins. Lots of dark chocolate, crushed stone and graphite flavors at the end. Subtle. 62.1% merlot, 21.9% cabernet sauvignon, 14.5% cabernet franc and 1.5% petit verdot.

94/95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2023

A deep and exotic nose of forest fruit, liquorice and incense here. The palate is smoky with barbecue tones and more fleshy forest fruit. Peppery and a little warming, the fine tannins offer a long, cashmere cloak for the redolent fruit at the core. This is plush but held together by structure. Hedonistic.

92/94
Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, April 2023

62.1% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
More subdued than La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion at this stage but seems to have more energy and freshness. Mouth-filling fruit on attack. Plush texture. Firm tannins but a slight powdery dryness on the finish. (JL)
Drink 2030– 2040

16.5
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, May 2023
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.