Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion, Pessac Leognan, 2012

Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion

Juicy and direct, with solid plum, raspberry and bitter cherry notes pushed by woodspice, singed alder and charcoal. Long on the finish, with pleasantly grippy, spicy tones.

France

Bordeaux

Juicy, complex, structured

Red

13.5

75.0

44% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Advocate 94/100
"An inky, bluish-black color, this wine has deep black raspberry and blueberry notes mixed with charcoal, graphite and subtle smoke. Rich, full-bodied and silky textured, this complex, stunning Pessac-Lognan from this tiny jewel of a vineyard near Haut Brion is hitting all the high notes in 2012. It should drink well for 15-20."
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 30/04/2015

Jane Anson 93/100
"The first year with Guillaume Pouthier as technical director, and (not coincidentally) the first where stems were being introduced into the winemaking process (they went straight in with 30%). A richer, more gourmet vintage than 2011 generally, and you feel it - certainly there is no indication that using stems is making the wine less concentrated, as this has a significantly more precision and punch than the 2011, and for me is more successful. Sappy juice runs through the plate, along with raspberry, red cherry and blackberry fruits, creamy brioche through the mid palate, with smoked cedar and campfire. Fresh acidities on the finish and a tingle of minerality perhaps give a hint of something different happening in the winemaking."