La Clarté de Haut-Brion 2012

A great alternative to top white wines that have become unaffordable: incredibly fresh, easy to drink, rounded, approachable, and a joy to drink.

Features a flattering edge of singed macadamia nut that melds wonderfully with the racier white peach, yellow apple and green almond flavors. The long salted butter finish has a touch of toast. Approachable now, but there's no rush. Drink now through 2020. 1,500 cases made.

A snapshot of the grand vin, 2012 La Clarté is showing some wonderful evolution with a green-gold hue, intense smoky notes, purposeful acidity and honeyed, candied fruit on the refined, lengthy palate.

Wonderful aromas of lemons, minerals and papaya follow through to a full body, crisp acidity and mineral, chalk, stone and dried-apple undertones. Delicious now but better in 2017.

Tasted blind. Lightly smoky and cheesy on the nose, then sweet and a tad fat on the palate. Not the most appetising. But there is masses of density and power here. Is this from the Haut-Brion stable? (JR)

The 2012 La Clarte de Haut Brion is an attractive white to drink now and over the next few years, while the flavors remain bright and focused. Lemon peel, white flowers, lime and crushed rocks are all nicely delineated in the glass. The Clarte is Haut-Brion's second white wine and is made from the estate's younger vines and from fruit that doesn't make the cut for the top labels.

Lemon wax and honeysuckle, with fresh citrus, fresh vanilla, and citrus peel carry through from start to finish in this lively wine.

Very fine, flinty and mineral style with roasted nuts, citrus, grape and pineapple. Firm, grippy and long, bright finish, very pure and elegant.

(58% Sémillon, 42% Sauvignon Blanc) Fresh, fragrant, fruity bouquet, cooked pear, pineapple. Silky, light, soft palate with sweet, delicate fruit, restrained acidity, subtle finish. 16/20 drink - 2020

Elegant, floral, refined and tender.

The second wine of Haut-Brion and La Mission, La Clarté is a well-structured wine with good length, nuanced, with body and persistence. It is worth seeking out.

The nose is fruity, crisp, and fresh. It reveals notes of white fruit (apple, pear) and, more subtly, citrus, combined with a hint of mirabelle, a delicate touch of honeysuckle, and a discreet hint of exotic fruit. The palate is fruity, gourmet, elegant, and offers freshness, indulgence, smoothness, and a touch of richness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of citrus (orange, lemon, clementine) paired with a fine hint of pear and peach, as well as a discreet hint of exotic fruit (mango, quenette) and a very subtle touch of toasted oak.

Color green, greyish yellow. The nose evokes citrus, nettles, and pepper. Smooth, round, juicy, rich palate, very flavorful and hedonistic. It’s a wine that’s hard to spit, finishing with impressive length. Blend: 58% Sémillon and 42% Sauvignon.

Just touched by wood, this second white wine from both Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion is tangy, just hinting at herbaceousness. It has plenty of acidity, crisp citrus and pear flavors with a touch of spice from the wood aging. The wine is developing fast, drink from 2017.