Wine Advisor
Les Carmes Haut Brion 1999
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
One of the gems in the Pessac-Leognan appellation, this small vineyard has once again produced a complex, evolved, elegant, stunningly perfumed wine that possesses much of the complexity of the great Haut-Brion, just not the density of that renowned terroir. A sleeper of the vintage, its dark ruby/purple color and complex nose of scorched earth, tobacco, spice box, cedar, and sweet, jammy black fruits are exciting. In the mouth, a supple, sweet, lush texture offers medium-bodied, admirably concentrated flavors with no hard edges. The acidity is low, and the wine is evolving at an accelerated pace. It will be terrific to drink next year, but it may not make old bones. Anticipated maturity: now-2010.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted twice and one of the best Pessac's. A floral Margaux-like nose. Rich peppery fruits on the palate. Very expressive. I'm a little worried about the low acidity but a lovely wine. Tasted May 2001.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A supple, soft, medium-weight, deep ruby/purple-colored Les Carmes-Haut-Brion, the 1999 reveals a sexy bouquet of roasted nuts, pepper, incense, hickory smoke, and black currants. Medium-bodied, with low acidity, and a fleshy, up-front personality, it will be delicious upon release, and drink well for 12-15 years thereafter.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This dark ruby/purple-colored 1999 is an elegant, soft, tobacco-infused, red currant and cherry-flavored effort. It is sweet and expansive on the attack, sexy, complex, earthy, and long. Consume this medium-weight Graves during its first 6-10 years of life. It is an impressive 1999.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Red-ruby. Aromas of raspberry, leather, lead pencil, smoke and mint. Smoky and aromatic in the mouth, with subtle sweetness. In a distinctly gentle style and considerably more evolved than the 2000, even allowing for its additional year in barrel. Finishes with dusty tannins and good length.
About the Producer
Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion is located in the Pessac-Leognan (Pessac-Leognan) production area on the left bank of Bordeaux. It was once part of Chateau Haut-Brion, one of the five famous wineries in Bordeaux. In 1584, Jean De Pontac, the 101-year-old old manor owner and founder of Chateau Haut Brion, donated the water mill in the manor and its surrounding small pastures and vineyards to the Carmes de Notre-Dame Abbey, officially opening Chateau Les Carmes History of Haut-Brion. At the beginning of the acquisition, the winery only owned 4.7 hectares of vineyards, but now the vineyard has expanded to 10 hectares. Made up of gravel, clay and sand. Planted are Cabernet Franc (39%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Merlot (41%).A small Peugue stream in the winery is the cool stream flowing under the new wine cellar. It creates a microclimate exclusive to Ritz-Carlton and gives Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion the most refined and elegant charm.
1987(2)
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