Wine Advisor
Les Carmes Haut Brion 2013
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Les Carmes Haut-Brion, a blend of 59% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot, has a high-toned bouquet with iodine scents merging with the macerated black cherries. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, well-judged acidity and yet the finish feels a little blunt and lacks fleshiness. Tasted three times on separate occasions, none of them was really convincing, which is a shame as I have a lot of time for this vineyard. Let-s see after bottling. Tasted March 2014.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A blend of 59% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, there will be approximately 15,600 bottles of the 2013 (one-third of the 2012 production). The results of Pichet’s investments and the draconian selection process are stunning as this is one of the stars of the vintage. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by notes of sweet black cherries, charcoal, graphite, white chocolate, camphor and asphalt. With a medium- to full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity, and an overall completeness that is rare in this vintage, this is a major sleeper of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2023. A brilliant success, the 2013 is one of the finest wines produced at this tiny, jewel of an estate sandwiched between Pape Clement, Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion. It has frequently been an erratic performer, particularly in view of the terroir, but since its purchase by Patrice Pichet, numerous investments have been made.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
When I originally tasted the 2013 Les Carmes Haut Brion, I found it a difficult wine to assess. Having visited the property and seen the multi-million euro investment within the vineyard and Philippe Stark-designed winery, plus the reductive method of winemaker, I can understand why that might have been the case. Bottled one month prior to my visit, it has a very intense bouquet with macerated small dark cherries, crème de cassis and black olive. Frankly, you would not identify it as a 2013 due to the level of fruit concentration. The palate is medium-bodied with quite robust tannin on the entry. Crisp and pure, there is fine mineralité here in this wine, quite structured with a grip detectable at the back of the mouth, the finish quite linear and slightly saline. It is a very fine 2013 that should age for 12-18 years -- it is one of the very few 2013s that will need bottle age.
Reviewed by: William Kelley
One of the very rare wines that transcends the vintage this year, the 2013 Les Carmes Haut-Brion opens in the decanter and glass with aromas of rich dark berries, burning embers and loamy spices, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, it's velvety and enveloping, with a deep core of fruit, supple tannins and a long, resonant finish. It's the only 2013 Bordeaux I purchased, and I don't regret my decision.
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)2005(1)2006(2)2007(1)2008(3)2009(2)2010(4)2011(1)2012(1)
Package Size
12 x 75cl
