Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2023

Dark-fruited, showing depth, smoky notes, mineral expression; taut, compact, juicy, long and red-fruited, with a bitter note on the finish.

Brambly fruit, plummy and lively on the nose. Quite perfumed. Straight and sharp on the palate, this is brilliant in its direction and movement, lifted but with a certain weight and density to it, not plush, more grippy and slightly mineral than Chappelle which is more charming right now, but this has great sleek muscles. Stylish and streamlined but it does expand slowly and feels like it has underlying power. Nicely structured, fresh and clean, good level of balancing acidity and a polished finish. Nice stuff. 3.8 pH, 3.7 total acidity.

Flowers, red with black currants, smoke, cigar wrappers, and Indian spice create the aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, elegant, smoky, and loaded with tobacco, leafy herbs, juicy plums, and cherries, the wine is bright, long, and energetic, with a smoked herb, currant, and cigar oriented finish. This is definitely a baby Haut Brion that will drink well, quite early in life. The wine blends 55.5% Merlot, 40.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3.6% Cabernet Franc. 14.2% ABV, 3.7 pH. Drink 2027-2045. 92-94 Pts.

More intense and more deeply coloured than the Chapelle, this is inky, cassis, spiced bilberry, with a slow-build tannic architecture and the most gorgeous slate scrape. Exceptional vintage of this wine, one to savour.

94-96. Barrel Sample. Showing some of typical seriousness of Haut-Brion, the wine has structure and a firm layer of tannins. With its smoky aroma, it has spice and a core of dryness.