CHÂTEAU LES CARMES HAUT-BRION Rouge Grand Vin de Graves, Pessac-Leognan 2022 Bottle

Description

The 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a remarkable wine that has garnered exceptional acclaim, achieving 100 points from both The Wine Advocate and Vinous. Under the leadership of Technical Director Guillaume Pouthier, this vintage showcases a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 26% Merlot, with 70% whole-bunch fermentation. The wine unfolds with captivating aromas of violet, dark wild berries, and pencil lead, supported by a medium to full-bodied, concentrated palate featuring velvety, precise tannins. James Suckling awarded it 99 points, praising its purity and focus along with floral undertones. Decanter rated it 98 points, noting its harmonious balance of fruit, lively acidity, and elegant texture. With a drinking window from 2029 to 2050, this stunning wine promises to age beautifully, reflecting the estate's legacy and innovative approach to winemaking.

*****

THE WINE ADVOCATE 100 points
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
Drink Date: 2032 - 2062
The 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is the finest wine bottled to date at this estate under Patrice Pichet's ownership and Guillaume Pouthier's direction. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of violet, iris, dark wild berries, pencil lead and mulberries, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated with a deep core of fruit beautifully framed by velvety, precise tannins, segueing into a long, saline and perfumed finish. Suave and harmonious, it was crafted with 70% whole bunches and matured in 70% new oak. This unconventional blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot represents a turning point for the estate, cementing its rapid ascendancy in the Bordeaux firmament. Published: Mar 06, 2025

VINOUS 100 points
The 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a towering masterpiece from Technical Director Guillaume Pouthier. Dark and seamless in the glass, the 2022 presents an exotic mélange of black cherry, lavender, sage, blood orange, menthol, espresso and dried flowers, showing tremendous depth and substance in all of its dimensions. Time in the glass hints as to what is to come in the years and decades that follow. The 2022 is a co-ferment of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot done with 70% stems that saw six full weeks on the skins. Élevage is 70% new oak, 20% 18HL cask and 10% amphora. Most importantly, all the elements are so well balanced that nothing sticks out. Instead, it is the wine's total sense of harmony that is mind-blowing. Magnificent. - Antonio Galloni

JAMES SUCKLING 99 points
The purity and focus here is impressive with blackcurrants, crushed stones and floral undertones. The whole-bunch character comes through clearly with rose-stem and floral aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, this is always so delicious but has lots of integrated, open-grained tannins. 70% whole-cluster fermentation. 40% cabernet franc, 34% cabernet sauvignon and 26% merlot. Idiosyncratic. So attractive now but will age beautifully.

DECANTER 98 points
Drinking Window: 2029 - 2050 - An exceptional wine in 2022 by winemaker Guillaume Pouthier who has delivered a supremely drinkable, likeable and harmonious wine that perfectly balances fruit density, aromatic expressiveness, lively acidity and a less is more approach. Intensely fragrant on the nose, nuanced and expressive, open and beguiling with rose, jasmine, bramble fruit, red cherry, liquorice and slate. Tense and a touch strict on the palate, electric and thrilling with bright acidity and tannins that come in and give weight and texture to the frame. Crushed velvet, smooth and salty, not plump or overly plush, instead well defined, focussed and precise. Silky, elegant with crystalline purity. A beautiful style married to a philosophy that works in hot vintages using whole bunch fermentation to lower the alcohol and give freshness to the wine. A standout success and a wine we’re going to want to finish. 3.64ph. 70% whole cluster. Ageing 70% new barrels, 20% 18hl casks, 10% amphoras. 98-100 points. - Georgina Hindle Apr 23