The 2016 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is another second wine that tastes more like a grand vin. Made from 51.3% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it too is deeply colored and has a classic Haut Brion bouquet of minerals, crushed rocks, cassis, graphite, and violet. With medium to full-bodied richness, good concentration, building tannins, and impeccable balance, it’s more supple and sexy that it’s big brother yet still has the balance, structure, and depth to keep for two decades. It’s a stunning wine in its own right.
Bright and accessible, with good concentration and balance. Aromas of dark fruit, tobacco and a subtle smoky touch. Precise acidity and well-defined dark fruit on the palate. Approachable now, but will continue to evolve. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.
The second wine of Haut-Brion reflects the same structure as the first. Here, the fruit is already showing well, giving a fresher element that will allow it to develop more quickly. Drink from 2024.
As with La Mission Haut-Brion and La Chapelle, there is a beautiful signature here running from grand vin to second wine, a clear indication of quality. This is a little more intense than La Chapelle, which was pretty and floral, showing a firmer side with cassis and blackberry. A gorgeous, confident wine. It's very hard to think of a vintage where things are so well constructed and yet so soft. Clarence de Haut-Brion represents 31% of production, from a blend of 51.3% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.1% Cabernet Franc and 2.6% Petit Verdot aged in 33% new oak. Drinking Window 2023 - 2040.
Blended of 51.3% Merlot, 13.1% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2.6% Petit Verdot, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion features beautiful rose hip tea, fallen leaves and black olives scents over a core of redcurrant jelly, cassis and pencil shavings plus touches of menthol and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, the palate is finely crafted with delicate red and black fruits laced with loads of earthy accents, framed by grainy tannins and finishing on a lingering mineral note.
Still a touch tight, but there are alluring mesquite and tea nuances peeking out from the core of steeped plum and raspberry fruit flavors, while a solid iron spine drives the tobacco-infused finish. Offers juicy energy in reserve, with the fruit detail taking an encore at the very end, boding well for the cellar. Very refined. Best from 2022 through 2036. 6,800 cases made.
TWI
92pts
The Wine Independent
The second wine of Haut Brion, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a fresh, round and fruity wine with notes of blackberries and sweet, crunchy fruit. This beauty is about ready to be enjoyed and has a spicy fresh aftertaste that is impressive for a second wine,
The 2016 La Clarence de Haut-Brion has a classically styled bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit, gravel and freshly rolled tobacco, blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, just a bit Burgundian in terms of tannins, very finessed with an understated yet very persistent finish. Classy. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting and again at Fells' annual tasting in London.
Winery Notes
Prior to the 2007 vintage, Chateau Haut-Brion's second-label wine: 'Le Clarence de Haut-Brion' was known as 'Chateau Bahans Haut-Brion'.