Les Carmes Haut Brion - Pessac Leognan (Futures) 2021 (Pre-arrival) (750ml)
Price: $115.00
| Producer | Les Carmes Haut Brion |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | Pessac-Leognan |
| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 1006848 |
| Size | 750ml |
James Suckling: 96-97 Points
26 May 2022 ? This is a special wine for the vintage with a wonderful and impressive tannin texture that melts into the wine giving softness and finesse. Medium-bodied showing a solid core of fruit with beautiful focused cassis blackberry and crushed-stone character. The unique terror of this estate which is surrounded by houses in a suburb of Bordeaux has produced a gorgeous wine in this difficult vintage. 45% whole bunches. 40% cabernet franc 35% cabernet sauvignon and 25% merlot.
Vinous: 96-98 Points
Technical Director Olivier Pouthier crafted one of the wines of the vintage at Les Carmes Haut-Brion. The 2021 possesses mind-blowing intensity and stunning persistence. Bright red-fleshed fruit blood orange mint dried flowers and exotic spice caress the senses as the 2021 shows off its sheer allure. I don't think I have ever tasted a young Carmes with this level of precision. The blend is 40% Cabernet Franc 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot aged in 70% new oak 20% new foudres and 10% in amphora. As always Les Carmes sees some whole cluster 45% in 2021 an unusual technique in Bordeaux but one that works so well here. The 2021 is a magical wine. That's all there is to it.
Wine Advocate: 94-97 Points
A brilliant and intensely individual wine the 2021 Les Carmes Haut-Brion shows immense potential. Wafting from the glass with aromas of rich berries and plums mingled with notions of raw cocoa loamy soil rose petals burnt sage and vine smoke it's medium to full-bodied vibrant and seamless with a deep dynamic core of fruit and a long penetrating finish. Transcending the limitations of the vintage it wouldn't surprise me were this wine ultimately to surpass the 2019 and 2020 in quality. It's a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot that's maturing in 70% new oak and the rest in 15-hectoliter foudres. Tasted twice.
The Wine Independent: 93-95+ Points
The 2021 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot aging in 70% new barriques 20% new 18 hl foudres and 10% amphoras. Deep garnet-purple colored it shoots out of the glass with vivacious notes of kirsch black cherry preserves cassis and blueberries plus hints of candied violets star anise cinnamon toast and Ceylon tea. Medium-bodied the palate shimmers with intense red and black fruit sparks framed by grainy multi-layered tannins and fantastic tension finishing long and mineral-laced. While the weight is ethereal the intensity is mind-blowing and an amazing achievement in this vintage. The Cabernet Franc contribution makes this a triumph as does the inspired use of stems. Batches with ripe stems are selected for whole-bunch fermentation and the rest are destemmed. 45% was selected for whole-bunch fermentation this year 10% less than in 2020. if you can put aside your stylistic preconceptions of what Bordeaux is and embrace this bright energetic style with amazing textural complexity (from oak stem and grape skin tannins) you will love this evocative age-worthy beauty. pH 3.6.
Jane Anson: 94 Points
Inky colour enticing texture and aromatics accomplished construction with no drop of density through the mid palate. They use reductive techniqes during ageing so you always have to give Carmes time in the glass to open up (even after En Primeur when in bottle) and you are richly rewarded by a bit of patience with damson black cherry rich chocolate liqourice smoked earth mandarin peel rose bud and mouthwartering acidities. This has tension and subdued power and is a successful interpretation of the vintage. 42hl/h yields same as 2020 no frost no mildew no coulure. Harvest as in Sauternes; with three passes through the vineyard at harvest. No chaptilisation. Harvest September 23 to October 1. 3.6ph 45% whole grape only 5% less than last year. 70% new oak 20% large sized still new but 1800 litres and 10% amphoras. A potential upscore in bottle.
twi
