| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
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.
Violets and dark berries with hints of wet earth and black truffles on the nose. Medium-bodied, this has focused tannins that tighten at the end. Blackcurrants and mushrooms with dried earth. Muscular for the second wine of Haut-Brion. Needs four or five years to soften and open. Best after 2029.
The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a little high-toned and more opulent than the La Chapelle Mission Haut-Brion, developing more blueberry fruit and delineation as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet, slightly candied entry. This is a generous La Clarence that just tapers in a little toward the finish. Therefore, afford this a couple of years in bottle. 2027 - 2047
More introverted and shy than during the en primeur tastings, the 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion offers up aromas of dark berries and spices mingled with pencil lead notes. Medium to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, it's framed by structured, youthful tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Give it time to digest its élevage. 2028 - 2042
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.
The fruit is a darker than in La Mission, a ton of depth to the flavour, and this has really grown into itself over ageing. Creamy cassis and blackberry, graphite or rather a smudged crayon because there is a softness to this, plump and enticing but with structure and clear ageability. Serious at first, then lightens up. great quality.
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
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
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.
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.
