Wine Advisor
Les Carmes Haut Brion 2008
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
This has a rich ripe expressive nose, blackberries, red cherries, a citrus note of lemon and perhaps even a touch of apricot. Nice lift. The palate is full-bodied, very cohesive with very good balance. Good definition, some quality oak and quality fruit here with great poise and length on the finish. Fine breeding here, this really is turning out to be a delicious Les Carmes. Excellent. Tasted September 2009.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Slightly shorter and less impressive than it was from barrel, the very good 2008 is a mid-weight Graves revealing a dark plum/garnet color along with sweet earthy, herbal, tobacco leaf, sweet and sour cherry and crushed rock characteristics. This medium-bodied, spicy 2008 tails off in the mouth. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. Having adored this wine out of barrel, I am pleased to report that is excelled in blind conditions. It has fine definition on the nose with blackberry, cassis and blueberry. The palate has a sweet succulent entry, rounded in the mouth with beautifully integrated new oak. Very focused, silky smooth oaky finish. This is tailored in a modern fashion, but it is very classy. It will be interesting to see how well it ages. Tasted January 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Made in an ethereal, lighter style than usual, the 2008 Les Carmes Haut-Brion offers up notes of menthol, unsmoked cigar tobacco, and sweet red and black currants. Medium-bodied, pure, delicate, and full of charm, it only lacks the texture and depth one expects in the best vintages like 2008. Drink it over the next 12-14 years.
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.
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