Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, 2024

"This is always an idiosyncratic wine. This year it’s stunning, with a unique floral aspect and excellent depth of pure blue fruit, mulberries, dried herbs and white pepper. So juicy and mouthwatering on the palate, with a medium to full body and fine tannins. There is a crystalized mouthfeel, but the tannins are fresh and well knit. This is already delicious, which indicates its superb balance. 48% cabernet franc, 29% cabernet sauvignon and 23% merlot."

"Seamless and silky in the glass, with superb balance, the 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is one of the wines of the vintage. All the elements are so well balanced, always a sign of a superior vintage at this address. Floral notes, spice, leather and mocha run through a core of layered, beautifully persistent dark red fruit. Harvest took place between September 17 and 25, during one of the rare windows with little rain. As always, Les Carmes is done with a high percentage of stems (52%), specifically 100% for the Cabernet Franc, 50% for the Merlot and 20% for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Aging is 70% new oak barrels, 19% 18HL foudre and 11% amphora. New oak is already very nicely integrated, another sign of a superb vintage. The 2024 is a brilliant effort by the team led by Technical Director Olivier Pouthier."

"This wine presents a perfumed, floral nose with red and pink flowers, transitioning to dark fruit with a pink-purple rim. Cool blue fruit and inky tones define the aromatics. Chalky and bright, it exhibits racy acidity and vibrant energy although remains relatively compact with firm, appealingly grippy tannins. The fruit is pure - cranberry, strawberry, and raspberry - lacking excessive ripeness but offering clarity. Notes of iodine, ink, salt, black pepper, liquorice, and graphite add complexity. Structured and intense yet refined, it avoids heaviness, with fine tannins forming a robust frame. The finish is long, clean, and slightly creamy, with enduring flavours. This really embodies Les Carmes’ chiselled character. With time, it gains sweetness, chewiness, and density, revealing greater depth. 52% whole bunch fermentation. Ageing occurs in 70% new barrels, 19% 18hl vats, and 11% amphorae, with a 3.61pH. Complex, structured, and profound."