2016 Haut-Brion Le Clarence de Haut-Brion
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Tasting notes
The 2016 La Clarence de Haut-Brion has a classically styled bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit, gravel and freshly rolled tobacco, blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, just a bit Burgundian in terms of tannins, very finessed with an understated yet very persistent finish. Classy. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting and again at Fells' annual tasting in London.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Has the 2016 signature of muscular tannic architecture complete with floors and walls, needs longer in bottle or a serious few hours in a carafe. When it softens and opens, you are rewarded with understated incense and grilled sandalwood, alongside blackberry, cranberry and tobacco leaf. Refined with clear cushion of acidity. Jean-Philippe Masclef technical director, Jean-Philippe Delmas director.
The 2016 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has an impressive bouquet of vibrant red berry fruit, rose petal and loamy aromas and impressively assimilated oak. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Crisp and focused, with a complex finish full of tension and terroir expression. This is another superb Pessac-Léognan. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Tasted blind. Sweet and fairly ripe. A bit austere on the end. But lots of fruit on the way there. (JR)
About the producer
Ch. Haut-Brion is the only classified growth in Pessac-Léognan. One of the five First Growths, it is renowned for producing both exceptional reds and whites. Along with its sister estate, Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion, it is part of the Clarence Dillon stable.