Le “C” des Carmes Haut-Brion is quickly becoming one of the greatest second wines in the region. For me, the perfect recipe is a mix of pedigree, house character, and a rewarding price—something this 2022 delivers in spades. The Grand Vin for this vintage notched three 100-point scores, making it clear that the team made the most of the growing season, but even this wine benefits from grand-vin-quality press, for what it’s worth. I also believe the secret lies in the estate’s boutique scale and relatively limited production, which lends a hand-crafted quality that shines through in “C” des Carmes. It’s this no-compromise approach that makes Guillaume Pouthier’s wines feel so genuine and distinctive across the board. While most of the Cabernet Franc goes into the Grand Vin, Cabernet Sauvignon steals the show in “C” des Carmes, though the fresh, lively character of the estate still provides an unmistakable signature. For those looking to experience the magic happening at this property, I can’t recommend the 2022 “C” des Carmes Haut-Brion enough—a remarkable buy already, and one that I suspect will reward those with bottles in their cellar for many years to come.

Pretty and ripe on the nose, there's some really lovely ripe raspberry on the front, there's also fresh fig, black cherry, blackberry compote, barrel spice, and a touch of cedar. The tannins are incredibly tight knit and well integrated, giving a soft and gentle little grip with each sip, but nothing crazy that makes me run for the butter dispenser we have here at work for high tannin incidents. It takes nickels for some reason. The palate has stewed strawberry, more cherry, a little creaminess from the barrel, rhubarb crumble, and just a long and enjoyable finish that gets a little woody at the very end, but in a way that just makes me want to take another sip. This is just such an approachable and easy bottle. Easy recommendation, too.