Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2021 i trækasse

Alexandre Ma

It is so incredible! Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a miracle this year... In such a cool vintage, how does it manage to exhibit such ripe aromas, especially the black fruit notes of prune, dried blueberry, and dried plum? The lines of the body are surprisingly distinct and proportionally structured, coupled with a layer of powdery tannins attached to the taste buds. The pallet is so soft as if your tongue is being caressed by a fairy. How can we resist such an amazing wine? Thanks to the talk with the technical director Guillaume, I learned the secret behind. In order to achieve the best level of ripeness, the winery has adopted an extreme harvest method similar to Sauternes (each plot was harvested 3 times on average). This obsessive-compulsive harvesting method has not only allowed to obtain the grape stems of ideal ripeness (45% whole bunch fermentation) but also create the shining moment for Les Carmes Haut-Brion. In my opinion, it is one of the very few top-quality wines that can surpass the vintage of 2020.

Anthocyanes Yohan Castaing

Antonio Galloni

The 2021 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is very possibly the wine of the vintage. Vertical and explosive, the 2021 possesses mind-blowing intensity and dynamic energy to burn. The 2021 is a heady, racy wine that captivates all the senses. Tobacco, mocha, cedar, leather, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and plum saturate the palate in a wine that dazzles from start to finish. The 2021 was bottled in late September 2023, much later than most wines, yet it is so expressive today. It was magnificent from barrel, and it is every bit as breathtaking today. Quite simply, Les Carmes is on another level. Bravo!

Decanter

Beautiful aromatic complexity on the nose, floral nuances and expressive blackcurrant, black cherry and dark chocolate but you're really getting the perfumed Cabernet fruit. This has an instant presence in the mouth, fully flavoured and juicy but so balanced, nothing sticking out, with the elegance of the ripe cool fruit touching the sides of the mouth. Tannins are present but fine and gently grippy with detail and definition to them. This has a lot of life for the vintage, one of the more full, round wines with chewy, fleshy tannins. The Cabernet gives backbone and density, the Merlot ripe red fruits, and then the chalky, slate, pencil lead, graphite salinity of the terroir comes in on the finish, giving that nuance, the sense of place and the vintage. Great rise and persistence all the way through, such drive but also lift, it doesn't let up. A stand-out wine - extremely classy and memorable. Skilled winemaking on show from Guillaume Pouthier. 5% more tannins than in 2020 which was already high. Grapes were picked at a natural alcohol of 14.2% so no chaptalisation here. 3.6pH. 45% whole bunches. Ageing in 70% new oak, 20% new foundre and 10% amphoras.

James Suckling

The texture and weight make this wine classy and unique with subtle berries, chocolate, bark and hints of cloves and dried flowers. Graphite. Medium- to full-bodied with very integrated, fine and lightly chewy tannins with lots of polish and focus. Juicy and crunchy. So much spice and earth. Average vine age of the cabernet franc is 80 years. 45% whole-bunch. 40% cabernet franc, 35% cabernet sauvignon and 25% merlot. Give this time, but it’s already a fascinating young wine.

VV Wine

Ruby-red in the glass. The nose begins shy, with a touch of reduction, requiring time to unfold. Once it opens, it reveals a complex tapestry of aromas—violets, ripe berries, peppery spice, herbs, and raspberries—a poetic and exquisitely crafted bouquet. On the palate, it’s fresh and vibrant, with crunchy fruit and impeccably refined tannins. Precision, finesse, and elegance define this wine, showcasing excellent structure and harmonious balance. The acidity is vibrant yet integrated, elevating the fruit's brightness without overpowering. A long, compelling finish seals the experience. A truly magical Carmes, breaking the mold with its unique style, making it all the more captivating.

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Deep in color, the wine is equally deep, sporting nuances of blackberries, black cherries, flowers, blueberries, tar, herbs, and spices. On the palate, the wine is rich, full-bodied, supple, and deep. There is intensity, purity, length, and vibrancy. The wine is rich, and concentrated, yet, the cool part of the tasting is that the wine is also light on its feet. With all the obvious density, the wine never feels heavy. Although it is mouthcoating, its also elegant, leaving you with layers of crushed stones, herbs, and a wealth of ripe, sweet, dark fruits, with a touch of salty chocolate in the finish.

Markus del Monego MW

Tastingbook.com

Vinous

Jean-Marc Quarin

Y. Castaing