Le Clarence De Haut Brion 2022 (1.5L)

94-95 JS / 92-94 VM / 92-94 JD / 91-93 WI / 91-93 WA / 92 JA / 92 DE

A medium- to full-bodied red with fine and lightly chewy tannins. Lots of dark chocolate, crushed stone and graphite flavors at the end. Subtle. 62.1% merlot, 21.9% cabernet sauvignon, 14.5% cabernet franc and 1.5% petit verdot. - James Suckling

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is fabulous. Rich, deep and explosive, La Clarence is everything a second wine should be. In other words, a smallerscaled version of the original. Sumptuous dark fruit makes a strong opening statement. Complicated notes of gravel, dried herbs, crushed rose petals and blood orange lend gorgeous savory nuance. Impressive. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The 2022 Le Clarence De Haut-Brion is mostly Merlot but includes 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and a little less than 2% Petit Verdot. It's a darker fruited, more structured second wine offering medium to full-bodied richness, a ripe, layered, textured profile, beautiful tannins, and classic notes of darker currants, cherries, smoked tobacco, and scorched earth. It's clearly an outstanding wine and has more than a hint of classic Haut-Brion style. - Jeb Dunnuck

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is composed of 62.1% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc, and 1.5% Petit Verdot aging in 20% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing to bring out scents of mulberries, plum preserves, and blackberry compote, plus hints of fallen leaves, Sichuan pepper, and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright and breezy, delivering crunchy black fruits and rounded tannins, finishing with impressive freshness. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, the second wine of Château Haut-Brion, is elaborated from a blend of 61.2% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot. It reveals a bright, fruity bouquet with aromas of dark berries, plums, tobacco, graphite and spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, textural and fleshy with structuring tannins and a fresh, tense finish. It is a very nice way to introduce the great wine of Haut-Brion. - Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate

Dense plush texture, crushed roses, damson puree, orange peel, cocoa beans, baked spices, 32hl/h yields, lowest since 1991. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Liquorice, blackcurrant and chocolate on the nose, smells inviting with soft perfumed touches. Sappy and wonderfully vibrant, really juicy and lively, not so plush although the tannins have shape and texture - velvety and mouth filling this really keeps a fresh and cool blue fruit touch with stoney elements. Light, almost delicate in terms of tannic expression and fruit presentation. Aerial and well balanced. Lovely clarity and poise, well worked and just feels generous and appealing. 1.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.9pH. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter