2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux
- Red
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- Merlot (62.1%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21.9%), Cabernet Franc (14.5%), Petit Verdot (1.5%)
- James Lawther MW
- 16.5/20
- Yohan Castaing
- 91-93/100
- Neal Martin
- 91-93/100
- Antonio Galloni
- 92-94/100
- Jeb Dunnuck
- 92-94/100
- Jane Anson MW
- 92/100
- James Suckling
- 94-95/100
- Georgie Hindle
- 92/100
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Description
This wine has a very appealing initial bounce of fruit. It has a well-managed drive of red fruit across the palate, quite rounded and ripe but with a bit of zip and lift. The tannins are present but not intrusive. There is a distinctive gentle mocha note as the wine approaches the finish.
This is not hugely complex, but there is much to enjoy. Many of Haut-Brion’s grand vin notes can be detected, but more in reflection than intensity.
Merlot 61%; Cabernet Sauvignon 22%; Cabernet Franc 14%; Petit Verdot 2%
Drink 2027 - 2040
Score: 16.5/20
Berry Bros. & Rudd (April 2023)
Critics reviews
62.1% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
More subdued than La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion at this stage but seems to have more energy and freshness. Mouth-filling fruit on attack. Plush texture. Firm tannins but a slight powdery dryness on the finish.
Drink 2030 - 2040
The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, the second wine of Château Haut-Brion, is elaborated from a blend of 61.2% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot. It reveals a bright, fruity bouquet with dark berries, plums, tobacco, graphite, and spices aromas.
On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, textural and fleshy with structuring tannins and a fresh, tense finish. It is a very nice way to introduce the great wine of Haut-Brion.
The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has a slightly higher-toned bouquet than the La Chapelle with blueberry, blackberry, iris petal and strawberry pastille aromas. Playful.
The palate is medium-bodied with a saline entry and fine-boned tannins. The 2022 is poised and focused with a sophisticated finish. Superb.
Drink 2027 - 2047
The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is fabulous. Rich, deep and explosive, La Clarence is everything a second wine should be. In other words, a smaller-scaled version of the original.
Sumptuous dark fruit makes a strong opening statement. Complicated notes of gravel, dried herbs, crushed rose petals, and blood orange lend gorgeous savoury nuance. Impressive.
Drink 2028 - 2042
The 2022 Le Clarence De Haut-Brion is mostly Merlot but includes 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and a little less than 2% Petit Verdot. It’s a darker-fruited, more structured second wine offering medium to full-bodied richness, a ripe, layered, textured profile, beautiful tannins, and classic notes of darker currants, cherries, smoked tobacco, and scorched earth.
It’s clearly an outstanding wine with more than a hint of classic Haut-Brion style.
Dense, plush texture, crushed roses, damson puree, orange peel, cocoa beans, baked spices, 32hl/h yields, lowest since 1991.
Drink 2028 - 2040
A medium- to full-bodied red with fine and lightly chewy tannins. Lots of dark chocolate, crushed stone and graphite flavours at the end. Subtle. 62.1% merlot, 21.9% cabernet sauvignon, 14.5% cabernet franc and 1.5% petit verdot.
Liquorice, blackcurrant and chocolate on the nose smell inviting with soft perfumed touches. Sappy and wonderfully vibrant, really juicy and lively, not so plush, although the tannins have shape and texture - velvety and mouth-filling, this really keeps a fresh and cool blue fruit touch with stoney elements.
Light, almost delicate in terms of tannic expression and fruit presentation. Aerial and well-balanced. Lovely clarity and poise well worked and just feels generous and appealing. 1.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.9pH.
Drink 2026 - 2040
About this wine
