2016 Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan

“Readers looking for the next superstar in Bordeaux need to jump on the bandwagon of Les Carmes Haut-Brion, who have produced one of the wines of the vintage in 2016. The 2016 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion checks in as a blend of 41% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon that hit 13.8% natural alcohol and spent 22 months in 65% new French oak. Its deep purple color is followed by a complex bouquet of high-class smoke tobacco, decaying flowers, charcoal, gravelly minerality and loads of sweet black and blue fruit. Possessing full-bodied richness, flawless integration of its acidity, fruit, and ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster finish, this is another 2016 that possess both power and elegance. Do your best to hide bottles for 5-7 years and it will keep for 3-4 decades. Don’t miss it. Tasted twice.” (02/2019)

“The 2016 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Breathtaking in its beauty, the 2016 soars from the glass with stunning aromatic and flavor intensity. Red cherry jam, wild flowers, mint, blood orange and sage are some of many notes that develop. In the glass, the 2016 is a vivid, statuesque, exotic wine that takes over all the senses as it delivers tons of pure pleasure. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2016 for at least a few years, but that will be virtually impossible. The 2016 is a towering masterpiece from Les Carmes Haut-Brion and Technical Director Guillaume Pouthier. (AG)” (01/2019)

“Terrific ripeness, depth and complexity on offer here. This has a very attractive array of bright, ripe blueberries and cassis with some leafy and earthy notes. The palate has a quite deep, long and vibrant array of perfectly ripe dark plums and blueberries. So good. Best vintage this decade. Try from 2023.” (02/2019)

“The 2016 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is made from 51% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 19% Merlot, with 65% whole bunch fermentation. It was aged for 2 years, 90% in new oak and 10% in amphorae. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of pure blackcurrants, black cherries, and mulberries with suggestions of Indian spices, tilled soil, and cumin seed plus a touch of cardamom. Medium-bodied, the ripe, densely laden fruit grows in the mouth with firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and minerally, showing wonderful harmony. (LPB) 97+” (06/2022)

“With 51% whole-bunch fermentation for the Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this is the highest proportion in this wine. This is just gorgeous, with a beautiful sweetness on the attack from ripe fruit and a touch of smoked caramel. It really rises through the palate, gripped by liquorice, hazelnut, dark chocolate and black cherry fruits that ripple through the palate. I loved this wine En primeur and it is absolutely living up to its billing. It has an IPT of 90, but the tannins are full of life, yielding in just the right places while still confident and keeping everything in line.Great persistency too. 3.49pH. 80% new oak, 10% Stockinger and 10% amphoras. (JA)” (01/2019)

“The 2016 Château Les Carmes Haut Brion is a stunning showing in this vintage. Composed of 41% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 39% Merlot this outstanding wine starts off with inviting aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, sweet tobacco and savory herbs along with hints of vanilla and fresh florals all developing in the glass. On the palate this possesses a medium-plus body with wonderful overall elegance and refinement. Displaying outstanding overall structure, balance and purity this thoroughly impresses until the very end. This is a simply stunning Pessac-Léognan which have a brilliant future ahead, that being said it will need a signifigant amount of cellaring before it begins to hit its stride. (JD)” (01/2019)

“This offers alluring waves of ganache-tinged plum sauce, blackberry reduction and steeped açaí fruit flavors, while tobacco and singed mesquite notes hang in the background. Shows a lovely bramble echo through the finish, with the fruit easily keeping pace. This has range, distinctive mouthfeel and serious length. There's a new player officially in the Pessac game... Best from 2023 through 2038. (JM)” (03/2019)

“The 2016 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a blend of 41% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 65% new and 35% one-year-old oak for 22 months. This vintage represents one of the largest percentages of Cabernet Franc for this wine. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it gives notes of kirsch, black raspberries and black plums with touches of cassis, violets, chocolate box and pencil shavings. The palate is medium-bodied, firm, grainy and lively with loads of layers and a long, well-poised finish. (LPB) 95+” (11/2018)

“Deep crimson to the rim. Fragrant nose with dark-fruit and floral notes. Dense and suave on the palate, the fruit again expressive with a hint of blackcurrant coming through. Juicy as well, the quality of tannin extremely refined. More freshness than 2015. Clean and long on the finish. Lovely balance. (JL)” (07/2022)