Carmes Haut Brion 2014

Pessac-Leognan

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Tasting Notes

I tasted the 2014 Château les Carmes Haut Brion (54% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon) last year at the estate, yet it showed even better this year and has gained both depth and richness. Possessing an inky purple color and beautiful notes of blueberries, currants, exotic flowers, bay leaf and a hint of graphite, this medium to full-bodied 2014 has polished tannin, impressive mid-palate depth, and a layered, elegant texture that’s already hard to resist. Like most 2014s it shines for its elegance and purity more so than power and richness. Enjoy bottles anytime over the coming two to three decades. An estate that’s on the upswing is unquestionably Château Les Carmes Haut Brion, which lies just to the northeast of Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion. Today the wines are made by Guillaume Pouthier, who left Chapoutier in the Northern Rhône in 2011.

Score: 94

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2020-2050 30 November 2017

The 2014 Les Carmes Haut Brion has a very ripe, fig-tinged bouquet with red cherries, orange sorbet and faint tarry scents. This has more bravado than many of its Pessac-Léognan peers. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannin. It comes across as more modern in style than its peers, silky smooth with caressing succulent red cherry and blackberry fruit leading to a polished finish. It has very good body and density, though I find much more complexity on the 2015. I remarked that I wanted to see how well the oak integrates with this Les Carmes Haut-Brion and at this early stage, I wait to be totally convinced that all the constituent parts are singing from the same hymn sheet.

Score: 91

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2040 31 March 2017

The Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2014 is a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines that are being converted to organic, undergoing a 30-day cuvaison with 15% to 40% whole clusters. Around 74% of the crop is matured in 80% new oak, 16% in 1,200-liter oak foudres and the remainder in 1-year old oak. Winemaker Guillaume Pouthier (ex-Chapoutier) has fashioned a bold and opulent bouquet with macerated black cherries and boysenberry jam. But it does not really 'sing' of "Pessac-Léognan", not at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannin on the entry, but then there is a wave of ripe, black, grainy fruit infused with graphite and cedar and it finishes in a bravura fashion with a seam of coconut originating from the oak. I would want to just check how the oak integrates with time by bottling and it may merit a higher score then. It's gonna need a top wine to match the architectural ambitions of its Philippe Starck-designed winery - this is certainly going in the right direction. (90-92+ Points)

Score: 90 - 92

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2032 01 April 2015

Extremely perfumed with violets, lavender and hot stones as well as fruit and dark chocolate. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and silky and fresh. A lovely and bright wine now. Better in 2020.

Score: 93

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 13 February 2017

Beautiful density of fruit with blackberry, dark chocolate and blueberry character. Full-bodied, very fine and silky. Classy for the vintage.

Score: 92 - 93

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 April 2015

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2014 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is total knock-out. Graphite, smoke, red cherry jam, spice, cured meat, pomegranate and tobacco are just some of the myriad sensations that race out of the glass. Today, the 2014 is gloriously ample on the palate, with remarkable nuance for a wine of its size. The Carmes Haut-Brion has been terrific in two recent tastings. The blend is 54 % Cabernet Franc, 32 % Merlot and 14 % Cabernet Sauvignon, all aged in oak, but with some influence of 500-liter tonneaux and 12-hectoliter casks. Simon Blanchard is the consulting oenologist. (95+ Points)

Score: 95

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2024-2044 01 February 2017

The 2014 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is once again a real showstopper. One of the most unique wines in Pessac because of its high amount of Cabernet Franc, the Carmes Haut-Brion offers up a compelling mélange of dark red stone fruits, pomegranate, smoke, tobacco and licorice. The late harvest has resulted in a deep, ripe, super-concentrated wine endowed with tremendous depth. There may be a little freshness missing, but that is a small critique for a wine that delivers so much pleasure. The blend is 54% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, all aged in oak, but with some influence of 500L tonneaux and 12HL casks. Simon Blanchard is the Consulting Oenologist. Tasted two times.

Score: 92 - 95

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 01 April 2015

Deep purple. Interesting meaty nose. Sweet and more weight of fruit than most. Very suave and polished. Excellent persistence. Though there is no getting away from the acid and tannin! (17- Points)

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2038 01 April 2015

Fleshy and open in feel already, with dark plum and blueberry notes, layered with light cocoa and fruitcake hints. Has a touch of loamy grip at the very end.

Score: 89 - 92

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 01 April 2015