Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2024

Dark ruby; radiant bouquet, deep, complex, with fine spicy notes, white pepper, violet, blueberries, subtly also white tea, herbal hints; on the palate straightforward, clear and pure like a mountain stream, superbly structured, masses of tannins of excellent quality, these tannins only show at the very back of the palate, supporting the fruit, polished, precise, of lofty length and once again with great elegance and finesse.

This wine presents a perfumed, floral nose with red and pink flowers, transitioning to dark fruit with a pink‑purple rim. Cool blue‑fruit and inky tones define the aromatics. Chalky and bright, it shows racy acidity and vibrant energy while remaining relatively compact, with firm, appealingly grippy tannins. The fruit is pure—cranberry, strawberry, and raspberry—without excessive ripeness but with great clarity. Notes of iodine, ink, salt, black pepper, liquorice, and graphite add complexity. Structured and intense yet refined, it avoids heaviness, with fine tannins forming a robust frame. The finish is long, clean, and slightly creamy, with enduring flavours. This truly embodies Les Carmes’ chiselled character. With time, it gains sweetness, chewiness, and density, revealing greater depth. 52% whole‑bunch fermentation. Ageing occurs in 70% new barrels, 19% 18‑hl vats, and 11% amphorae, with a 3.61 pH. Complex, structured, and profound.

Showing one of the deepest colors of the vintage, the wine pops with flowers, black cherries, licorice, smoke, chocolate, and plums in the aromatic profile. The wine is supple, spicy, and fragrant in the mouth, leaving you with sweet, spicy, peppery, black cherries, marine influences, and crushed rocks which come through in the mid-palate, through to the finish. The wine was made using 52% whole bunch clusters, blending 48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 23% Merlot, 13.2% ABV, pH 3.6. The wine is aging in a combination of 70% new, French oak, 19% foudres and 11% amphora. Picking took place September 17- September 27. Drink from 2027-2047. 94-96 Pts

(48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot) Lovely, elegant, precise nose with aromatic depth as well as fine finesse and complexity. It reveals notes of boysenberry, fresh blueberry and, more lightly, crushed raspberry, together with touches of ripe/fleshy small fruits, hints of cornflower and graphene, a touch of tobacco, as well as fine hints of lilac (even sappy), an imperceptible hint of almost mandarin zest, black olive and chocolate. The palate is beautifully handled, fruity, elegant, airy, delicate, silky and accurate, offering delicacy, subtlety, a mineral backbone, great energy, a crystalline edge, aromatic depth, a charming infusion-like character and an elegant/delicate darkness. A lovely, slightly rich, enveloping/coating texture with precision and finesse. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh blackcurrant, blue plum and, more lightly, small red fruits, combined with touches of cornflower, black tea, hints of star anise, fine hints of mandarin and Timut pepper, as well as a discreet hint of cacao nibs, nutmeg, vanilla and fresh hazelnut. The tannins are velvety. Good length. A fine creamy note on the finish.

Inky depths to the colour, touch of reduction on the opening as is often the case with En Primeur Carmes, this delivers energy, density, clarity. Austerity on the finish, but plenty of interest, savoury and muscular juicy black fruits, expect a wine that is built around about texture, architecture and savour, which is not something that I have found in many bottles in the vintage. 90% new oak, split between barrels and casks, 11% amphoras. Harvest 17 to 27 September. 3.61 pH, clay and limestone, 60 years old average vine age. 46hl/H yield in vineyard, 41hl/h after picking selection, then 24hl/h after cellar selection. All press used, no chaptilisation.

A deep, almost black color. An intense, refined, pure bouquet, fruity with a slight smoky note. Supple on the attack, silky through the mid-palate, with a classy, polished mouthfeel; the wine glides and melts into the finish, where it returns with deep resonance, a touch austere, yet without losing its richness. Average persistence. Blend: 48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot. Alcohol: 13.5% - pH: 3.61. Vinified with 52% whole-bunch harvest.