Wine Advisor
Les Carmes Haut Brion 2002
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Sweet and sour cherries along with spice box and tobacco characteristics jump from the glass of this floral, ethereal Graves. Cunningly seductive and surprisingly light as well as soft and alluring, medium-bodied, pure, and persistent, it is not for those readers seeking big, forward fruit-bombs. This delicately nuanced, unmistakably French wine will be at its finest between 2005-2013.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Out of barrel this Carmes had low acidity and seemed a medium-term proposition. Tasted again in June 2003 this wine gains an extra mark. The nose has discarded some of the jamminess and become more defined. Still a soft entry, more succulent and fleshy than before but still well-balanced. Still not a long-term wine, but the quality is definitely still here. At the UGC in October 2004 in bottle. Hmmm - I like this wine before bottling but it came across as superficial and confected. Very soft with oodles of plum fruit. But where has the structure and grip disappeared to? Caveat emptor.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted blind at Farr's 2002 Bordeaux tasting. This Les Carmes has a surprisingly high-toned lifted nose with black cherries, liquorices and black olives. Good definition although just a little forced and this comes through on the palate. Nicely balanced, but there is too much winemaking in the wine, not enough terroir or personality. Tasted October 2009.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The serious quantity of Cabernet Franc used at this estate comes forth in the complex cedary, menthol, spice box, and plum, cherry, and currant notes in this wine’s aromatics. The wine is medium-bodied, attractively lush, with good finesse, depth, and ripeness. It is a successful effort for a 2002 Pessac-Leognan. Drink it over the next decade.
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)1999(3)2000(2)
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