2016 Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan (375ml)

“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.” (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)” (12/2018)

“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.” (01/2019)

“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)

“Refined, if a bit closed in at this stage, slowly revealing blackberry, juicy damson and tobacco leaf. The palate comes across with wet stone, much more ‘mineral’ in expression and less fruit-forward than the Haut-Bailly. Can stand up to venison or a zesty rack of lamb. (PK)” (03/2021)

“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. (JM)” (03/2019)