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.

The 2023 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is quite the powerhouse. Ample and potent to the core, Le Clarence is a standout. Black cherry fruit, mocha, gravel, incense, licorice and chocolate fill out the wine's ample, full-bodied frame. Even with all of its natural intensity, Le Clarence is quite polished in its tannin profile.

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.

As with En Primeur, this is deeper and richer in colour and in its tannic construction than La Chapelle, and both are a true reflection of the style of their main estate wine in this vintage. This is superb, full of plummy black fruits and softly unrolling spices, with pumice stone, slate and graphite character that makes it very much a stately Left Bank. 23% new oak for ageing. A buy.

The bouquet’s freshness comes through in hints of hibiscus, garrigue and red berries, followed by notes of liquorice and peppermint. On the palate, the emphasis is also on freshness, with a spirited wine and compact, powerful tannins. They have everything they need to integrate perfectly, but they still require a little time. An ambitious wine, with depth, that asserts itself with conviction!

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.

The taste of Haut Brion without its body! Deep, intense, purple colour. A highly aromatic nose—refined, pure, fruity and powerful. A wonderful scent of fireplace embers, of smoking pine wood. Magical and unique. Even more striking when you swirl the glass, still just as pure, with hints of violet and Zan liquorice. Silky on the attack, rounded mid-palate, with a melting body and a present structure enriched with aromas; the wine finishes long, savoury, sappy and fragrant. Best to wait a little. Remarkably consistent in expression since 2016 (2017 is delicious today).

Floral and vibrant, the 2023 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion opens with aromas of violet, peony, lilac, dark berries and dark cherries. Medium- to full-bodied, juicy and enveloping, it is framed by velvety tannins and concludes with a long, precise and perfumed finish. As is often the case at this address, the élevage has brought additional clarity and purity to the wine’s profile.