In Bond Fine Wine. 2020 Château Carmes Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France. Red Bordeaux in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 100/100 (AG). Drinking window: 2028–2060. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion has been on a stellar trajectory since the arrival of Guillaume Pouthier in 2012, his pioneering approach in the vineyards and in the cellar has firmly established the Chateaux as one of Bordeaux's most in demand. This brilliant wine is only made in small quantities with around 1800 cases each vintage. The picturesque Carmes Haut Brion is located close to the city of Bordeaux and just a stone's throw away from Chateau Haut Brion, indeed until the late 16th century it formed part of the fabled First Growth estate. The free draining calcium carbonate rich calcisol found in the vineyards here is similar to that at Chateau Ausone and ideal for growing high quality Cabernet Franc. The striking new Philippe Starck designed gravity fed winery is surrounded by a stream which also helps to keep the ambient temperature lower. Since completion of the winery in 2015 th…
Jeb Dunnuck (JD) — 96–98/100 · JebDunnuck.com, 25/05/2021
On another level, the flagship 2020 Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion is one heck of a dense, backward, concentrated wine that's going to require bottle age. Coming in with the same technical analysis (acidity and alcohol) as the 2018, this full-bodied beauty offers a thrilling nose of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, charcoal, and gravelly earth. Full-bodied on the palate, with a terrific mid-palate a…
James Suckling (JS) — 97–98/100 · JamesSuckling.com, 23/05/2021
Exotic fruit aromas of blackberry, blueberry, peach and orange peel. It's full-bodied with a vertical flow of layered, chewy tannins that are integrated and intense. Extremely polished and focused. Crushed stone to the fruit in the aftertaste. Some bark and forest flowers, too. Great potential.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (LPB) — 95–97/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 23/05/2021 · Drink 2027 - 2057
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Les Carmes Haut-Brion issues forth a beguiling array of savory scents'black olives, charcuterie, bouquet garni and Sichuan pepper'over a core of bright redcurrant jelly, black cherries and cassis scents, plus fragrant hints of rose petals and preserved mandarin peel. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and elegantly styled yet with a rock-solid backbone of…