2012 Les Carmes Haut Brion
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Les Carmes Haut-Brion was the first vintage with whole bunches (40%) and 18 months in barrel. It was the introductory vintage under current winemaker Guillaume Pouthier. This is much more enticing on the nose after the 2011: well-defined black cherries, cola, peppermint, light rose petal scents and a hint of marmalade that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, more freshness and tension than the 2011, and frankly, you would never be able to tell there was whole bunch here. This appears to be maturing with style and panache, but it will give another decade or more of drinking pleasure. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Les Carmes Haut-Brion has a classic tobacco and pencil lead bouquet, well-defined with ample black fruit. Just a little old school in style, but in the positive sense. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, good weight, smooth and harmonious with a caressing finish, touches of allspice and graphite on the aftertaste. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.
The 2012 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is terrific, with a beautiful, classy, incredibly impressive style that's drinking beautifully today. Offering up pure dark fruits (some blue fruits as well) to go with notes of smoked tobacco, scorched earth, graphite, and violets, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless profile, impressively polished tannins, and a great finish. It's beautifully done, and while certainly showing what it has today, it's going to evolve for another 20-25 years.
44% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 16 months in new oak barrel (70%), foudre (20%) and amphora (10%) Deep, dense colour, particularly for the vintage. Floral freshness on the nose with a hint of violet. Palate round, sweet and texturally softer than the 2011. Large rather than long. Slight glow on the finish. Drinking well now but may not age as well as 2011. (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.