One of the most exciting estates in all of Bordeaux, Les Carmes Haut-Brion sits in the heart of Pessac with an unusually high proportion of Cabernet Franc that gives the wine a distinctive, aromatic signature unlike anything else in the appellation. Under technical director Guillaume Pouthier, the estate has emerged as a genuine superstar — and 2016 is widely regarded as its finest hour. Aged 22 months in 65% new French oak with partial whole-cluster fermentation, the wine opens with charcoal, violets, dark cherry, and gravelly minerality, building to a full-bodied palate of extraordinary richness, silky tannins, and a finish that seems to go on indefinitely. Drinking beautifully now but built for decades.
99 Points
"Readers looking for the next superstar in Bordeaux need to jump on the bandwagon of Les Carmes Haut-Brion, who have produced one of the wines of the vintage in 2016. The 2016 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion checks in as a blend of 41% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon that hit 13.8% natural alcohol and spent 22 months in 65% new French oak. Its deep purple color is followed by a complex bouquet of high-class smoke tobacco, decaying flowers, charcoal, gravelly minerality and loads of sweet black and blue fruit. Possessing full-bodied richness, flawless integration of its acidity, fruit, and ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster finish, this is another 2016 that possess both power and elegance. Do your best to hide bottles for 5-7 years and it will keep for 3-4 decades. Don’t miss it. Tasted twice."
One of the most exciting estates in all of Bordeaux, Les Carmes Haut-Brion sits in the heart of Pessac with an unusually high proportion of Cabernet Franc that gives the wine a distinctive, aromatic signature unlike anything else in the appellation. Under technical director Guillaume Pouthier, the estate has emerged as a genuine superstar — and 2016 is widely regarded as its finest hour. Aged 22 months in 65% new French oak with partial whole-cluster fermentation, the wine opens with charcoal, violets, dark cherry, and gravelly minerality, building to a full-bodied palate of extraordinary richness, silky tannins, and a finish that seems to go on indefinitely. Drinking beautifully now but built for decades.
99 Points
"Readers looking for the next superstar in Bordeaux need to jump on the bandwagon of Les Carmes Haut-Brion, who have produced one of the wines of the vintage in 2016. The 2016 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion checks in as a blend of 41% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon that hit 13.8% natural alcohol and spent 22 months in 65% new French oak. Its deep purple color is followed by a complex bouquet of high-class smoke tobacco, decaying flowers, charcoal, gravelly minerality and loads of sweet black and blue fruit. Possessing full-bodied richness, flawless integration of its acidity, fruit, and ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster finish, this is another 2016 that possess both power and elegance. Do your best to hide bottles for 5-7 years and it will keep for 3-4 decades. Don’t miss it. Tasted twice."
