2012 La Clarte de Haut Brion Blanc
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Clarté de Haut-Brion is slightly more youthful than the Chapelle de la Mission with black brambly fruit, sandalwood and light rolled tobacco aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple entry. There is fine weight for a Deuxième Vin and a satisfying freshness with a judicious pepperiness adorning the tensile finish. Excellent. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting. The 2012 La Clarté de Haut-Brion Blanc is tight at first and there is just a touch of reduction that blows away with aeration. It never quite finds its feet after that and needs to find more delineation. The palate is well balanced with tangy pineapple and citrus lemon notes, although the second half is dominated by the new oak and this obscures personality and terroir expression at the moment. Let's see if it improves with bottle age. Tasted January 2016.
Tasted blind. Lightly smoky and cheesy on the nose and then sweet and a tad fat on the palate. Not the most appetising. But there is masses of density and power here. Is this from the Haut-Brion stable? (JR)
The 2012 La Clarte de Haut Brion is an attractive white to drink now and over the next few years, while the flavors remain bright and focused. Lemon peel, white flowers, lime and crushed rocks are all nicely delineated in the glass. The Clarte is Haut-Brion's second white wine and is made from the estate's younger vines and from fruit that doesn't make the cut for the top labels.
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.