The 2018 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is composed of 37% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot. It was made using 52% whole cluster and has 13.75% alcohol. It was aged in 75% new oak barriques, 16% foudres and 9% amphorae. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing before bursting from the glass with vibrant scents blackberry preserves, redcurrant jelly, mulberries and Black Forest cake, leading to an undercurrent of pencil lead, black truffles, cast-iron pan and charcoal with an emerging waft of violets. The elegantly crafted, medium-bodied palate dances with red and black fruits before bursting into earth and mineral sparks. It has a sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and savory. The stem tannins lend this wine a firmness and textural interest, which should integrate further with another 5-6 years in barrel, allowing the nuances to shine through even more, then you can continue to enjoy its slow evolution for a further 30+ years.
(WA-Mar 2021)
| BRAND | LES CARMES HAUT BRION |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Ch. Les Carmes Haut Brion Pessac-Leognan 2018 750ml |
| Unit of Measure | BTL |
| Country | FRANCE |
| Region | BORDEAUX |
| Appellation | PESSAC LEOGNAN |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Rating (WA) | 96 |
| Rating (BH) | NA |
| Rating (WS) | NA |
