Wine Advisor
La Clarte de Haut Brion Blanc 2016
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2016 La Clarte de Haut-Brion is lovely. Bright and nicely chiseled, with terrific depth, the Clarte is wonderfully nuanced. Citrus and floral notes give this energetic Sémillon/Sauvignon blend terrific freshness.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2016 La Clarté de Haut-Brion feels quite rich and intense owing to the high percentage of Sémillon (76 percent) in the blend this year. A phenolic, broad white, the 2016 has plenty of personality, although it naturally lacks the pedigree of the top selections. It will be interesting to see if the Clarté finds a bit more harmony during its aging. Today, some of the edges show through. Citrus peel, stone fruit, mint and chalk add closing nuances.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2016 Clarté Haut-Brion Blanc has an open-knit bouquet of orange blossom, lemon curd and light nutty aromas, hints of candle wax emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a lightly spiced opening. There’s plenty of grilled walnut and smoke here, and something almost white-Rioja-like toward the finish – and I mean that as a complement. This has just gained a little complexity in recent months. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2016 La Clarté de Haut Brion has a simple bouquet of lime flower and light resinous aromas, though I want a little more energy here. The palate is well balanced, offering pear and gooseberry on the entry and decent weight in the mouth, but just a little too simple on the patisserie-tinged finish.
About the Producer
Grapes sourced from both Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion. Previously called 'Les Plantiers du Haut-Brion'. Expert tasting note: (2021 vintage) "Pale yellow in color with green hints. The medium intensity of fruit aromas are leafy, with gooseberry & slight catty notes - these are backed by creamy/leasy notes. The palate shows ripe mango & passion-fruit aromas with mineral notes behind them. The wine is full-bodied & rich, with alcohol adding a little warmth & roundness to the palate. The finish has pretty good length."
