Nose with dense dark rose and dark cherry. Palate with juicy acidity and well balanced approachable dark fruit, leather, some tobacco, and mouth tingling spice. Moderate long finish with a tough of grippy tannins at the end. Overall a unique and interesting Bordeaux. — 2 years ago
From a great looking bottle with a mid-shoulder fill and an appropriate plug. Reddish amber color, it looks amazing and smells even better. Exotic perfume with notes of rose petals, tobacco leaf, cola, leather saddle, Cuban cigar and some menthol. Some cranberry and walnut notes develop too. Lots of red fruit. Slow-ox'd it for 4 hours, then gave it 30 min in a decant, then back in the bottle for enjoyment through the evening. This never tired, and showed continual improvement until it was gone. Drinking history. Decided to go side by side... 45 vs 61 vs 89. Tonight the 61 was better than the 45 but not by much. The 89 may eclipse both in 30 years tho. (Bday 10 of 13) — 4 years ago
I do love second labels. Usually terrific values and excellent wines, they are definitely go to purchases.
Deep dark burgundy with light cherry flecks. An exquisite nose featuring blackcurrant, smoke, and licorice. Oak and rose petals entice. This, of course, requires proper aeration which reveals some additional notes of earth, mushrooms, and green peppers.
Blended simultaneously as its prestigious older sibling, there is definitely a level of elegance and refinement here that’s a bit uncommon for many second label bottles. A Left Bank beauty, this is half Cabernet Sauvignon/half Merlot aged 14 months in French oak. The palate follows the nose closely with more earth notes and blue fruits. A soft vegetal quality in the mouth. Medium long finish with nice spice leaves you wanting more and more and more.
— a year ago
This is solid. Dry. Cantaloupe. Strawberries. — 2 years ago
Fairly deep rose gold colour. Quite rich with impressive length on the palate. Some tangerine and an almost tea leaf note. I much prefer the Huet molleaux wines but nice to try. — 3 years ago
Pale lemon color.
Aromas of lychee, spice, hint of rose.
Off-dry. Flavors of lychee, spice, floral. Rich flavor, good acidity.
Intensity: 5/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 2 years ago
The 2012 Les Carmes Haut-Brion was the first vintage with whole bunches (40%) and 18 months in barrel. It was the introductory vintage under current winemaker Guillaume Pouthier. This is much more enticing on the nose after the 2011: well-defined black cherries, cola, peppermint, light rose petal scents and a hint of marmalade that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, more freshness and tension than the 2011, and frankly, you would never be able to tell there was whole bunch here. This appears to be maturing with style and panache, but it will give another decade or more of drinking pleasure. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2012)
— 2 years ago
Great summer wine. Costco sale — 3 years ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2018 vintage. Open for business. Tasted three bottles with consistent notes. All three decanted. No sed. Medium/medium-heavy body. Smoky, plummy nose. Bright Rainier cherry mixed in with nose impressions along with some candied raspberry and astringent rose petals. Wanted slightly more tannin involvement but methinks they’re smoking ciggies, playing cards and just waiting for the kids to fall asleep. 7.27.24. — 3 months ago