2018 Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan (6 x Bottle)
An estate I have championed for many years now, and watched as its reputation has grown. It deserves all the plaudits, both for making great wines and also having the courage to stand out for its own distinct personality and winemaking choices. The highest levels of Cabernet Franc on the Left bank, made in this vintage with a full 53% whole bunch fermentation, giving lower alcohols in a hot year, floral edges to the aromatics and a lean, muscular feel to the tannins. Winemaker Guillaume Pouthier ensures this doesn't compromise the intensity and clarity of the fruit flavours, and you'll find tons of blueberry and bilberry fruits that showcase the Cabernet fruits, along with saffon and turmeric spices, liqourice and pencil lead. Give it another few years, but this should be ready to go a little earlier than some in the vintage. IPT95. Harvest September 13 to 28. 3.58ph, 75% new oak barrels 16% large oak casks, 9% amphoras for ageing.
2018 Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan (6 x Bottle)
An estate I have championed for many years now, and watched as its reputation has grown. It deserves all the plaudits, both for making great wines and also having the courage to stand out for its own distinct personality and winemaking choices. The highest levels of Cabernet Franc on the Left bank, made in this vintage with a full 53% whole bunch fermentation, giving lower alcohols in a hot year, floral edges to the aromatics and a lean, muscular feel to the tannins. Winemaker Guillaume Pouthier ensures this doesn't compromise the intensity and clarity of the fruit flavours, and you'll find tons of blueberry and bilberry fruits that showcase the Cabernet fruits, along with saffon and turmeric spices, liqourice and pencil lead. Give it another few years, but this should be ready to go a little earlier than some in the vintage. IPT95. Harvest September 13 to 28. 3.58ph, 75% new oak barrels 16% large oak casks, 9% amphoras for ageing.
| Producer | Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion |
|---|---|
| Sub-Region | Pessac-Leognan |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Country | France |
| Grape Variety | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Colour | Red |
| ABV | 13.00% |
| Style | Medium-Full , Dry |
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Inside Bordeaux
This powerful, full of complex layers of raspberry, blackberry, smoked earth, rosemary and turmeric spice, but running underneath it all is clear salinity and grip. The personality and poise of this wine overtakes the vintage, not an easy thing to do in a year that is as powerful as 2018 and on a warm site such as Carmes Haut-Brion. Touches of saffron and salt-licked as it opens, sage, freshly grilled dried herbs and gourmet espresso and brioche. Enjoyable. 3.62pH, and harvest at almost 1% ABV higher than you find in the final bottle. Ageing takes place in a mix of 25% new oak, 5% oak casks, and 10% amphoras, with 55% stems during fermentation, and natural yeasts.
98 Points / Drinking 2025 - 2042
By Jane Anson / February 2022
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
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 is anticipated to age 18-24 months in 75% new oak barriques, 16% foudres and 9% amphorae. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is slightly broody and reduced to begin, slowly growing to reveal notions of charcoal, smoked meats, truffles and tilled soil over a core of black raspberries, warm black cherries, blackberry coulis and redcurrant jelly plus wafts of Provence herbs and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is taut and muscular, tense with latent energy, offering a rock-solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness to support the bright, vibrant fruit, finishing long and mineral laced.
94-96+ Points
By Lisa Perrotti-Brown / April 2019
Vinous
The 2018 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is one of the wines in this vintage that comes very close to its 2016 sibling. A wine of dazzling intensity and stature, Les Carmes Haut-Brion is simply magnificent. Rose petal, wild black cherry, sage, menthol, licorice and dried herbs add myriad shades of complexity to this explosive, dense wine. As always, Les Carmes is done with a fair amount of whole clusters, 40% in this case, but in 2018, the maturity is such that the stems are very well integrated into the wine’s fabric. The blend is 37% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon.
95-98 Points
By Antonio Galloni / April 2019
Vinous
The 2018 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a total knock-out, just as it was from barrel. Soaring in its aromatic intensity, Les Carmes dazzles from the very first taste. Inky red fruits, mocha, new leather, licorice, dried flowers, sage and mint envelop all the senses. Today, the 2018 appears to be slightly closed, but time brings out tons of aromatic energy and nuance. Cabernet Franc plays the leading role, unusual for this part of the region. Franc aromatics and a fair amount of whole cluster savoriness lend energy but also a feeling of richness without weight that is especially appealing. This is a masterpiece from Les Carmes Haut-Brion and Technical Director Guillaume Pouthier.
97 Points / Drinking 2026 - 2048
By Antonio Galloni / March 2021
Vinous
The 2018 Les Carmes Haut-Brion was picked from 13 to 28 September, vinified 52% with whole bunch and pigeage only. It is aged in 75% new oak, 16% Stockinger foudres and 9% terracotta amphorae. I love the aromatics here: intense black cherries, violet, black olive compote and orange blossom, all beautifully delineated and focused, the oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with a structured opening, the whole bunch contribution altering the texture with a slight graininess. Good freshness here, very well balanced with fine tannins and plenty of freshness, this segues into a poised sapid finish with hints of oyster shell on the aftertaste.
94-96 Points / Drinking 2024 - 2050
By Neal Martin / November 2019
Vinous
The 2018 Les Carmes Haut-Brion was always going to be a wine that I would leave for 12–24 hours to monitor its evolution. It has a splendid bouquet of a mixture of blackberry, freshly rolled tobacco, autumn leaves and touches of brine. It is classic in style and showcases the Cabernet Franc element supremely well. The palate is in many ways uncompromising. The Cabernet is in full effect: herbaceous, with bell pepper and bitter cherry, quite tannic, and for the vintage, one of the most austere wines you will find in Bordeaux, let alone Pessac-Léognan. I personally find it to my taste, but it is not a wine for hedonists seeking bundles of juicy fruit. An intellectual Les Carmes for sure, one that leaves you pondering in which direction it will age.
94+ Points / Drinking 2024 - 2050
By Neal Martin / March 2021
Vinous
The 2018 Les Carmes Haut-Brion was aged in 75% new oak with a touch more matured in foudres. It includes 55% whole bunches. This has a slight confit-like aroma on the nose, plush cranberry and wild strawberry intermingling with cassis and violet; aromatically, this is the more precocious recent vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine tannins, clean and pure with excellent acidity keeping everything on an even keel towards the finish. The 2018 has a caressing texture and is very persistent. I might quibble and say that I just find the nose a little trop, but the palate is superb. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château.
94 Points / Drinking 2026 - 2055
By Neal Martin / October 2022