2010 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

The 2010 Les Carmes Haut-Brion was the first vintage under the new ownership, though they only took charge of the ageing. This has an intense bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow and light menthol aromas, just a little warmth of alcohol coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly minty opening, fleshy tannins, balanced yet quite stocky compared to recent vintages. It is structured with a pleasant sapidity on the finish. It just lacks a bit of persistency on the aftertaste, that said, this might actually benefit from another year in bottle. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château.

50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 12 months in barrel (50% new oak). Mature colour. Deep garnet with a touch of brick at the rim. Sweet and full on the nose but just a little muddy. Oak present as well. Palate again sweet and round but the tannins are dry, particularly on the finish. Too much extraction in a solar year? Fulsome but without finesse. Probably not for the long haul. (JL)

Inky depths to the fruit and the colour. Touches of iodine and tar, grilled oak impact, together with impressive texture and expansion through the palate that showcases cassis and bilberry fruits along with curls of espresso and black chocolate. This is at the begining of its drinking window, but has a long life ahead. 3.7ph, higher than you find typically today but still plenty of grip. 40% new oak.