Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac Leognan 2022 1.5Ltr Case of 3

This was bottled in September 2024, so at the time of tasting has only been in bottle three months. The blend is 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot, with 70% whole-cluster vinification, and the élevage was in 70% oak barrels (75% new oak, 25% used), 15% in foudre s and 10% in terracotta amphorae. An expressive but also fine and delineated character on the nose, with scents of liquorice, blackberry, dried blackcurrant, dark chocolate, coffee bean and rose petal, showing an elegant Pessac-Léognan perfume. Retasted at the property the showing was perfectly consistent, straight from the bottle. The palate is charming, finely integrated and fresh, broadening out from a cool and quietly spoken start to a well-defined midpalate substance, correct, with finely polished and savoury fruit infused with classy fine-boned tannins with a powdery intensity which ease themselves onto the palate at the very end. There is a saline energy here, presumably tied to the used of whole cluster vinification, which enchants. A very stylish interpretation of the vintage, long and savoury, restrained in its body yet very expressive, and infused with those classy, mouth-watering tannins. Superb elegance, and a long energy. Give it ten years and more, this will be stunning. The alcohol on the label is 13.5%.