2017 Chateau Clarence de Haut Brion Pessac (750ml)

Formerly known as Bahans Haut-Brion, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion was renamed and repositioned in 2007 to reflect its status as a true second wine rather than a simple declassification — made from a dedicated selection of younger vines and parcels, using the same exacting winemaking standards as the Grand Vin. The 2017 shows the elegance and freshness typical of the vintage: red and dark fruit, cedar, and a subtle graphite minerality on the nose, with a medium-to-full-bodied palate, silky tannins, and real precision. A more accessible way into the Haut-Brion style, both in price and in near-term drinkability.