| 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 2023 blend is 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc. 22.5% new oak. Alcohol 14.2 degrees.
The 2023 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is well-defined on the nose with blackberry, cedar and a subtle mint aroma, showing a little more fruit concentration than the La Chapelle. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip on the entry and fine backbone. It’s a little granular in texture, sorbet-fresh and pliant, with redcurrant and cranberry fruit. This is very enticing, even at this early stage.
With aromas of ripe raspberries, dark wild berries and flowers, the 2023 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a moderately weighted, firm and dense wine on the palate with sweet structuring tannins and a long, vibrant finish. This blend of 55.5% Merlot, 40.9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3.6% Cabernet Franc is a great bottle in the making.
Dark ruby colour. The nose is a little muted for now, revealing light notes of spice box, cigar leaf and hedgerow fruits - there is a little warming alcohol too. The palate is direct, more narrow than the Chapelle de la Mission, with a slightly darker fruit core. Fine-boned with a chalky finish, this is a linear, spicy wine at the moment that will hopefully take on some flesh in barrel.
Intensity and focus to this, with length and raciness for the second wine of Haut-Brion, showing polish and a refined texture. It’s medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and an exquisite finish. Caressing. 55.5% merlot, 40.9% cabernet sauvignon and 3.6% cabernet franc.
A blend of 55.5% Merlot, 40.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3.6% Cabernet Franc, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2023 is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of shaking to wake up scents of fresh black and red currants, raspberry leaves, and star anise, leading to touches of mossy tree bark and wet slate. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a firm frame of grainy tannins and well knit freshness to support the spritely fruit, finishing with a savory lift.
More intense and deeply coloured than the Chapelle, this is inky, cassis, spiced bilberry, with a slow build tannnic architecture, and the most gorgeous slate scrape. Exceptional vintage of this wine, one to savour.
The 2023 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a heady wine. Here, the tannins are especially polished, almost uncharacteristically so, even through they are very much present. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, new leather and gravel build effortlessly in the glass. Bright acids punctuate the finish. The 2023 is a showy Clarence with tons of character. 2026-2045
55.5% Merlot, 40.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.6% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
More reticent than La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion but shows a stony, Graves character. Juicy fruit and refined tannins. Dances on the palate but needs a little more volume. Good medium-term drinking. (JL) 14.2%
Drink 2030 – 2040
