La Clarté de Haut-Brion 2024

Mineral-driven nose, flint, herbs, white tea, grapefruit, barely ripe pineapple; on the palate, round and smooth, generous fruit, well-integrated acidity, the wine is balanced with very good length, saline finish.

Lovely aromatic profile – floral, lemongrass, acacia flowers, peach scents. Bright and clean, this has lift and intensity from the first sip with an initial burst of lemon and lime citrus zest, although it swiftly shifts to something creamier and lightly spiced with vanilla and burnt caramel alongside the white fruit. 3.23 pH

Yellow and orange citrus, flowers, Granny Smith apples, white peach, and a touch of spice create the nose. The palate is fresh and lively, with sweetness to the fruits and a beautiful sense of purity on the palate and in the finish. The wine blends 64.5% Semillon with 35.5% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink from 2027–2038. 92–92 pts

Score: 88–90. A delicate, almost fragile nose with hints of small white flowers and lemon curd. On the palate, freshness asserts itself with lightness, with a zesty touch of green mango.

Freshness is, of course, what immediately comes through in the bouquet of La Clarté, with hints of white flowers and a touch of stone fruit, followed by lime nuances. Slightly creamy on the attack, the wine surprises with its velvety, soothing character. It certainly has enough spirit to avoid seeming tired, but it is clearly driven by elegance, showing that it is here to be enjoyed—while also reminding you that it still has something to prove!

The nose is fruity, aromatic and offers a certain depth as well as some flesh to the fruit. We find notes of pulpy vineyard peach, fresh/pulpy kumquat and, more slightly, quince, combined with fine touches of quenette and passion fruit, as well as discreet hints that are almost peach blossom. The palate is nicely handled, fruity, balanced and offers freshness, minerality, good definition, a certain accuracy, fine tension and delicate finesse. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy vineyard peach, crunchy nectarine and, more slightly, quenette, combined with touches of juicy/fresh mandarin, zest, as well as fine hints of fresh lemon, a discreet hint of lemon blossom, verbena and iodine. Good length. A subtle, finely creamy/briochy note on the finish/persistence. Harmony and delicacy.

Refined expression of Sémillon, rich with white and exotic fruits, white blossoms, pamplemousse; saline and savoury finish. The second wine of both Haut Brion and Mission Haut Brion, drawn from grapes across both vineyards.

Pale colour with green highlights. The nose is moderately aromatic, with attractive notes of fruit and citrus. Supple on entry, flavoursome through the mid-palate, with a classy texture, the wine just melts away. It finishes very fruity, sappy, delicious and utterly moreish. Blend: 64.5% Sémillon, 35.5% Sauvignon. Alcohol: 13.15% - pH: 3.25.