Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2024 | Pessac-Leognan
23% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Cabernet Franc
Al weken voor start van de primeurdegustaties gonsde het al van de geruchten dat Carmes Haut Brion 2024 één van de allerbeste wijnen van het jaar zou zijn, en met zekerheid de beste prijs-kwaliteit verhouding. Het gerucht bleek al snel waarheid te zijn. Niet moeilijk: Carmes Haut Bion was ooit een deel van Château Haut Brion. In 1584 schonk de toenmalige eigenaar een deel van het grondgebied aan orde van de Carmelieten, vandaar trouwens de naam.
De prijs is in primeur zeer gunstig maar stijgt snel richting La Mission Haut Brion: over enkele jaren staan we verwonderd te kijken naar deze primeurprijs...
Vinous (Neal Martin) 94-96 P
The 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion contains more Cabernet Franc at 48% of the blend. Picked between September 17 and 27 using 52% whole bunch, this is aged in 70% new barrels, 19% new foudres and 11% amphora. This has impressive fruit concentration on the nose with redcurrant and blackberry fruit, hints of cassis and a dab of dark chocolate. Fine delineation. After time, there is something that nods to the Northern Rhône without losing typicité. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh with fine tannins, a subtle pepperiness imparted by the whole bunches and a tingle of pain d'épices towards the finish. Very harmonious and very delicious, this should provide 20 to 25 years of drinking pleasure. 13.2% abv.
Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 95-97 P
Seamless and silky in the glass, with superb balance, the 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is one of the wines of the vintage. All the elements are so well balanced, always a sign of a superior vintage at this address. Floral notes, spice, leather and mocha run through a core of layered, beautifully persistent dark red fruit. Harvest took place between September 17 and 25, during one of the rare windows with little rain. As always, Les Carmes is done with a high percentage of stems (52%), specifically 100% for the Cabernet Franc, 50% for the Merlot and 20% for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Aging is 70% new oak barrels, 19% 18HL foudre and 11% amphora. New oak is already very nicely integrated, another sign of a superb vintage. The 2024 is a brilliant effort by the team led by Technical Director Olivier Pouthier.
Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 95-97, Jeb Dunnuck 94-97, Vinous (Neal Martin) (94-96), Yves Beck 98-99, Jean Marc Quarin 95, Jancis Robinson 16,5, Terre de Vins 97-98, Alexandre Ma 96-97, Jane Anson 94, Le Figaro 94-97, Decanter 96, Revue du Vin de France 94-96, James Suckling (97-98), Wine Advocate (93-96)
Drink: 2031-2060