Wine Advisor
Les Carmes Haut Brion 2005
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This 2005 offers a fabulous bouquet of forest floor and flowers, a dark plum/ruby/purple color, and medium body. Super-intense but light on its feet, this beauty seems to be close to full maturity. Complex and cerebral, this stunner is just now drinking beautifully and should continue to do so for another 15 or more years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Along with the 1998 and 2000, this is a sensational effort from this tiny jewel of an estate hidden in a park just behind Haut-Brion. The deep ruby color is followed by a superb bouquet of menthol, creme de cassis, graphite, and spice (the Cabernet Franc component is strong in this cuvee). It hits the palate with a full-bodied elegance, purity, precision, and savory charm. Good acidity, sweet tannin, and an ethereal style result in a vivid, compelling Bordeaux that tastes almost Burgundian. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This jewel of an estate hidden in a beautiful park (with a swan-filled lake), just behind Haut-Brion, has produced the finest Les Carmes since the 1998 and 2000. The 2005's huge, fragrant nose of spring flowers, blue and red fruits, cedar, and wet rocks soars from the glass. While not a powerful blockbuster, this medium-bodied wine’s terrific intensity, fruit purity, elegance, delicacy, and long persistent finish suggest it will be at its finest between 2011-2025. A liqueur of elegance and grace.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A gorgeous effort from this tiny gem, the 2005 Les Carmes is their best wine since 1998 and 2000. Situated in a beautiful park behind Haut-Brion, this estate fashioned a deep ruby-colored 2005 boasting a brilliantly projected set of aromatics (kirsch, smoke, scorched earth, chocolate, leafy tobacco, and creosote). Its full body is somewhat unexpected given the aromatics’ delicacy and nuance. Zesty acidity, sweet tannin, and a light but substantial, classic, traditional style are found in this offering, which represents a synthesis in style between a grand cru Cote de Beaune Burgundy (such as a Corton) and a great Graves. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2028.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted single blind at Southwold. This has a lighter, more feminine nose; good definition with rounded red-berried fruit with touches of cigar box and earth. The palate has a sweet, lithe entry, supple tannins, lacks a little weight for a 2005 but it is well crafted. Sappy blackberry, black plum finish with a touch of mocha. Nice grip. Very fine. Drink 2012-2025. Tasted January 2009.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Medium red. Ripe aromas of smoky plum, redcurrant, mocha, tobacco and nutty oak. Rich, pliant and fruity, with ripe acids framing the raspberry and subtle game flavors and contributing to the impression of inner-mouth perfume. Offers good volume and a restrained sweetness. Finishes with dusty, serious tannins and very good length.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Bright ruby-red. Enticing aromas of currant, hot stones and licorice. Rich, deep, broad and dry, with intriguing mineral and spice notes adding complexity to the red fruit flavors. Rich, suave, serious claret with plenty of life in the mouth. Finishes with substantial but fine tannins and excellent length. A strong vintage for this property; I underrated this a year ago.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Bright red-ruby. Smoky aromas of raspberry, black cherry and coffee, with a meaty nuance. Suave and silky in the mouth, with nicely integrated acids keeping the wine fresh. Intriguing, slightly rustic notes of hot stones, smoke and meat. Finishes with a subtle sweetness and broad, dusty tannins.
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)2002(1)2003(1)2004(3)
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