Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2021

Slightly marked by the élevage; with breed and freshness, and decent length.

Soft green apples and herbal touches with raspberries and wild cherries. A lovely clarity and grip to this, textured and bright, giving a touch of leanness but with a chalky, mineral grip to the cheeks and tongue. I like the character, a bit more full bodied than Chapelle. Lovely tension and hold, keeps the interest with a cool blackcurrant and blueberry undertone with freshly picked mint. Loses some oomph on the finish, but unfussy and still with lots of character.

This is deep for a 2021, with blackberries, walnuts, chocolate and hazelnuts. Very subtle. Medium body, with an appealingly creamy mid-palate. Beautiful now but will improve with age.

The 2021 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has retained the more floral, violet-tinged bouquet that puts it ahead of La Chapelle de la Mission at this stage—it’s just a little more enticing. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fleshier than La Chapelle, with a caressing and delineated finish. It is an excellent Deuxième Vin that will deliver 12 to 15 years of drinking pleasure.

Medium-bodied, floral, fresh, and forward, this ready-to-drink, vibrant, soft, crisp wine finishes with a nice, mineral-driven accent that adds complexity to the sweet, lifted red fruits on the palate. Drink from 2024-2036.

Dark ruby core with a narrow purple rim. Nuances of nougat, caramel, black cherries, a touch of orange zest, savory herbal notes. Medium-bodied, subtle fruit sweetness, ripe cherry fruit, finely structured; already easy to drink, versatile.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (70.4% Merlot, 18.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.4% Cabernet Franc, 13.6% alc. vol.) Floral, delicate, sweet bouquet, cassis, blackberries, slate, tobacco. Fine, fragrant palate with sweet, delicate fruit, good tannins, powerful, fresh aromatics, a finely structured framework, and a fresh finish.

(70.4% Merlot, 18.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.4% Cabernet Franc, 13.6% alc./vol.) Floral, delicate, sweet bouquet; cassis, blackberries, slate, tobacco. Fine, fragrant palate with sweet, delicate fruit, good tannins, powerful, fresh aromatics, fine-boned structure, fresh finish. 17/20 2026 - 2042

Ruby violet in colour, and the angular tannins found during En Primeur have softened and been sculpted with ageing. There is something thoroughly irresistible about this more classic style of the Haut-Brion stable, with black fruits that are fully ripe, bright and vibrant, yet still delivering a sense of solidity and depth. Even with higher levels of Merlot in the blend than usual, this remains structured, with still-tight tannins that need a good three or four years before opening (which still makes it an early drinker within this universe of wines). 28% new oak, Jean-Philippe Delmas, estate director.

Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2021 is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It is a little shy to start, soon unfurling to give glimpses at redcurrant jelly, raspberry pie, and juicy blackberries, giving way to hints of cinnamon toast and fallen leaves. The medium-bodied palate is bright and lively, with approachable, grainy tannins and vibrant red berry flavors, finishing on a minerally note.

A beautiful translucency to the color. The nose reveals aromas of raspberry and raspberry leaf, with notes of fresh tobacco and stones. The palate is succulent, with tangy-sweet, juicy small red fruits that burst in the mouth as if you were biting into them.

Clarence de Haut-Brion pulls ahead of its counterpart, namely La Chapelle de Mission. Subtle, the wine is supported by compact tannins that give it muscle and even a touch of flesh, while the acidic structure provides backbone and lends temperament. A characterful wine that stands out for its freshness and ageing potential. It deserves a little time to open up.

Deep, purplish colour. An intense, pure, fruity nose—subtle and complex. Soft on entry, very aromatic through the mid-palate, with energy and real class to the texture; the wine develops, both melting and well-structured, and once again impresses with its flavour. Good length.

Red and black currants, smoked tobacco, iron, and spicy, almost meaty notes all emerge from the 2021 Le Clarence De Haut-Brion, a medium-bodied, pure, seamless, incredibly elegant second wine that has ripe, polished tannins and a great finish.

Woodland fruits with a backdrop of black-pepper spices set the scene for the second-label wine of Haut-Brion. It is powerful, with some firm tannins and integrated acidity. Drink this fine wine from 2027.