Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Rouge 2023

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Rouge 2023 - Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France

Producer's Notes: 

Beneath the classic elegance of Pessac-Léognan, the grand vin of Les Carmes unfolds a unique composition. Cabernet Franc, in an unprecedented proportion, offers a silky power, echoed by the intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon. On this structure, Merlot develops a round and refined fruit character: the balance is perfect, guaranteeing a style that is as complex as it is delicious.

What we say:

One of Bordeaux's most distinctive and captivating wines, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2023 combines remarkable concentration with extraordinary elegance. Intensely aromatic, it opens with layers of black cherry, mulberry and blackcurrant intertwined with violet, rose petal, orange zest, graphite, warm spice and the estate's signature smoky, saline minerality. The palate is medium to full-bodied and beautifully sculpted, with remarkably fine tannins, vibrant freshness and a seamless balance between richness and precision. Powerful yet graceful, it unfolds in layers before finishing exceptionally long, with lingering notes of dark fruit, cocoa, crushed stone and subtle savoury spice. 

Owned by the Pichet family and led by Guillaume Pouthier, Les Carmes Haut-Brion has become one of Bordeaux's most innovative estates. The 2023 vintage is composed of 50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, with around 60% whole-bunch fermentation adding aromatic complexity and refined structure. The wine is matured for 24 months in a combination of 70% new French oak barrels, 20% large oak foudres and 10% terracotta amphorae, a distinctive élevage that enhances texture while preserving the purity and energy of the fruit. The estate's gravel, clay and limestone soils, together with meticulous vineyard management, produce a wine of exceptional finesse and remarkable ageing potential.

Grape Variety: 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot

Style: Red – Medium to full-bodied, refined, structured Bordeaux

Drink Window: 2028–2065

Perfect For: Beef Wellington, roast lamb, venison, duck breast, wild mushroom dishes, aged hard cheeses

Critic Scores:

98-99 points - James Suckling

97-99 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

95-97 points - Jeb Dunnuck

97 points - Jane Anson

96 points - Wine Enthusiast (from a barrel sample) 

A modern Bordeaux icon that marries innovation with tradition - complex, beautifully composed and destined to reward both early admiration and decades of careful cellaring.