Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend

9.116 ratings
9.23 pro ratings
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France
Red Bordeaux Blend
Top Notes For
Delectable Wine

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9.0

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)

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)

Nov 10th, 2022
Craig Stanfield

Tasty but a bit rustic on opening. Will be interesting to see if that settles down and more fruit comes through. On DAY 2, this was phenomenal and so well integrated.

Tasty but a bit rustic on opening. Will be interesting to see if that settles down and more fruit comes through. On DAY 2, this was phenomenal and so well integrated.

Aug 16th, 2018
MJ Tsay

limestone blk cherry cola bright entry still young tight tannins but trending towards elegance

limestone blk cherry cola bright entry still young tight tannins but trending towards elegance

Nov 27th, 2015
Chris B.

Be patient - we decanted for about an hour and the wine, while still very good and awfully smooth, was a little closed with a slightly latex finish to go along with the gorgeous tannins. But as dinner went on, it opened up, fulfilling the promise of its raspberry sauce nose and currents of black currant candy. Eager to try other vintages.

Be patient - we decanted for about an hour and the wine, while still very good and awfully smooth, was a little closed with a slightly latex finish to go along with the gorgeous tannins. But as dinner went on, it opened up, fulfilling the promise of its raspberry sauce nose and currents of black currant candy. Eager to try other vintages.

Apr 5th, 2020
Kay Mills

Mazzaros, 4-27-19 pricey 75.99 opened up well.

Mazzaros, 4-27-19 pricey 75.99 opened up well.

Apr 29th, 2019
Greg Sorensen

If you've got Haut Brion in your name I'm probably going to like you. A tiny estate making classic Bordeaux. Really nice.

If you've got Haut Brion in your name I'm probably going to like you. A tiny estate making classic Bordeaux. Really nice.

Feb 1st, 2015
Stephane St-Arnauld

Stephane had this 8 months ago

Stephane had this 8 months ago

Mar 24th, 2024
Oliver Holtam

Oliver had this 5 years ago

Oliver had this 5 years ago

May 22nd, 2019
Samuel Schwartz

Samuel had this 6 years ago

Samuel had this 6 years ago

Feb 10th, 2019
Ulrich Kipper

Ulrich had this 6 years ago

Ulrich had this 6 years ago

Jan 2nd, 2019