Chateau les Carmes Haut Brion 2022, the biggest success of the Bordeaux Futures?

Carmes Haut Brion undoubtedly claims to be the vintage's greatest success.

In Pessac-Léognan, the summer of 2022 was marked by very hot weather, caused in part by major fires in the Landes region. Despite low yields, Carmes Haut-Brion has produced an extraordinary wine, which unfolds in the glass with complex aromas of blackberry and cherry mixed with hints of exotic spices, orange zest, pencil lead and rose petals, all with an astonishing sensation of freshness. Pure, fragrant and penetrating, this blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot is a brilliant success story that crowns a decade of hard work by Guillaume Pouthier and his team, who have enabled Les Carmes Haut-Brion to emerge as one of Bordeaux's leading estates.

The notes of the famous tasters speak for themselves:

Decanter 98/ Yves beck 99-100/ Weinvisser 99-100/ Alexandre Mea 97-99 /Michel Bettane 96-97 / Colin Hay 98-100/ Jeb Dunnuck 98-100/ J.Leve 99-100/ Jm.Quarin 99/ J Perrin 98-100/ J Robinson 17/ J Suckling 97/98 / Le figaro 97-98 / Parker 99-100/ Perrotti 99-100- Rvf 94-96 /Terre de vins 98-99

What makes Chateau les Carmes Haut-Brion such a success in the 2022 vintage?

Château Carmes Haut-Brion is a wine estate in the Bordeaux region of France. Its history dates back to the 17th century, when the estate was founded by the Gourreau family. Originally known as Château Haut-Brion, it was renamed Château Carmes Haut-Brion in 1992, and in 2011 was acquired by the Pichet family, who made major investments to modernise the winemaking and ageing facilities. Indeed, the 6.9 hectare Carmes Haut-Brion estate, one of the most inspiring in contemporary Bordeaux, has been doing remarkable work for several vintages, and Pouthier's 2022 transcends anything he has achieved before. Through attention to detail in the vineyards and cellars, such as careful management of cover crops to manage water stress, whole bunch vinification and reductive ageing (Pouthier has used a mix of barrels, including 70% new oak, foudres and ceramic vessels), this estate produces singular wines while remaining true to the distinctive Cabernet Franc DNA of Carmes Haut-Brion.

Enjoy Wine : Wine Specialist