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Goedhuis, April 2022, Score: 96-98
A normal crop at this fine estate, and no wonder wine maker Guillaume Pouthier was smiling like a Cheshire cat as he explained how the warmer site of Carmes Haut Brion in the suburbs of the city escaped the spring frosts. As always, a hugely individual wine with its 40% Cabernet Franc, 45% whole bunch fermented and an élevage in a mixture of casks, foudres and clay amphorae. Highly distinctive, with an extraordinary perfume of wild alpine strawberry, fruits of the forest, cloves and spice. Juicy and joyous, with a fine tannic core. An uplifting and exciting wine which is set to give so much pleasure in time. Fabulous.
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Neal Martin, April 2022, Score: 93-95
The 2021 Les Carmes Haut-Brion includes 45% whole bunch, the same as the previous vintage with 70% new oak, 20% in new 1800-litre foudres and some in amphora. Interestingly, the whole bunch contribution is less evident here compared to the Le C des Carmes, more assimilated with touches of flint and graphite infusing the mineral-rich black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with firm grip on the entry, plenty of crunchy black fruit infused with graphite, cracked black pepper and cedar underlying marine influences. With a surfeit of freshness on the saline finish, tensile with an almost penetrating minerally aftertaste, this will deserve 5-7 years in bottle. 13.5% alcohol. Drink 2027 - 2055
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Antonio Galloni, April 2022, Score: 96-98
Technical Director Olivier Pouthier crafted one of the wines of the vintage at Les Carmes Haut-Brion. The 2021 possesses mind-blowing intensity and stunning persistence. Bright red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, mint, dried flowers and exotic spice caress the senses as the 2021 shows off its sheer allure. I don't think I have ever tasted a young Carmes with this level of precision. The blend is 40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, aged in 70% new oak, 20% new foudres and 10% in amphora. As always, Les Carmes sees some whole cluster, 45% in 2021, an unusual technique in Bordeaux, but one that works so well here. The 2021 is a magical wine. That's all there is to it. Drink 2031-2061
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Wine Advocate, April 2022, Score: 94-97
A brilliant and intensely individual wine, the 2021 Les Carmes Haut-Brion shows immense potential. Wafting from the glass with aromas of rich berries and plums mingled with notions of raw cocoa, loamy soil, rose petals, burnt sage and vine smoke, it's medium to full-bodied, vibrant and seamless, with a deep, dynamic core of fruit and a long, penetrating finish. Transcending the limitations of the vintage, it wouldn't surprise me were this wine ultimately to surpass the 2019 and 2020 in quality. It's a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot that's maturing in 70% new oak and the rest in 15-hectoliter foudres. Tasted twice.
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Matthew Jukes, April 2022, Score: 17.5+
As always, this is a rich and full-bodied wine, and while the tannins seem fairly intense, they should even out. The oak is also mighty and perfumed, but for some reason, it works, and the spice and perfume balance out the sheer intensity of the fruit. I have put a ‘+’ next to my score because the tannins are firm, but I wonder whether they might propel this wine forwards for a longer than usual life, but don’t let this put you off opening a bottle after five years to check out how it is doing.
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Wine Cellar Insider, April 2022, Score: 94-96
Garnet in color, the wine opens with tobacco leaf, cigar box, thyme, herbs, flowers, espresso and red berries. Medium/full-bodied, vibrant, fresh and focused on its purity of fruit as well as its elegance. This sublime wine is silky, and sensuous. This finish is long and refined, with sweet, ripe cherries, dark cocoa, spice, herbs, a drop of citrus and cigar wrapper with a cool touch of salt and crushed rock that come out in the endnotes. The wine was made using 45% whole bunch clusters during fermentation. From a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, 13.5% ABV, pH 3.6. The wine is aging in a combination of 70% new, French oak, 20% foudres and 10% amphora. Drink from 2025-2050.
