2014 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Les Carmes Haut-Brion has a rather herbaceous nose that needs more cohesion and vigor. There is some volatility here. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, a bit hollow on the mid-palate with a tarry, austere finish. I question how representative this bottle is. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
New regime but still in the old winery. Tasted blind. Very dark colour. Both ripe and leafy. Firm, chewy tannins. Not charming but there’s plenty to chew on with good balance between fruit and structure. (JH)
The 2014 Les Carmes Haut-Brion includes 45% whole bunches with around half the crop vinified via infusion. Expressive on the nose, it offers red fruit, rose petals, cola and hints of black truffle, a little more mineralité than previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine depth, crisp and taut with grip and muscle on the finish. Yet it is streamlined and focused with ample sapidity, quite elegant after a few minutes in the glass. This is a satisfying wine for the vintage rather than an exceptional one. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château.
54% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. 50% whole-bunch vinification. Aged 24 months in new oak barrel (80%), foudre (10%) and amphora (10%) Deep colour to the rim. More complexity aromatically with red- and dark-fruit notes and a hint of mint and herbs. Lovely balance, the palate sweet but lithe and fresh at the same time. Texture and tannins smooth. Good density of fruit. Touch of oak but overall, harmonious. Up a gear from previous years. (JL)
About the producer
One of the most exciting properties in Bordeaux, Les Carmes Haut-Brion technically sits within the city’s limits today. Guillaume Pouthier arrived in 2012 and, under his tenure, the property has been elevated to the highest ranks.