Chateau Haut Brion Le Clarence de Haut Brion 2022

Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is the second wine of Château Haut-Brion, offering exceptional Pessac-Léognan character with aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry, graphite, cedar, tobacco, violet, dark chocolate, and subtle baking spice. Elegant yet richly structured, it delivers silky tannins, vibrant freshness, remarkable precision, and a long, refined finish.

Food Pairing: Pair with beef Wellington, grilled ribeye, roast lamb, duck breast, venison, mushroom risotto, aged Comté, or braised short ribs.

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

Compared to the La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, the 2022 Le Clarence De Haut-Brion brings a darker core of cherry and currant fruits as well as smoky, leather, and scorched earth-like aromatics. It's slightly more concentrated and has a more focused, structured style on the palate, yet it's incredibly well balanced, pure, precise, and elegant. It's a mini Haut-Brion that has tons of Grand Vin character.

95 Points - James Suckling

Violets and dark berries with hints of wet earth and black truffles on the nose. Medium-bodied, this has focused tannins that tighten at the end. Blackcurrants and mushrooms with dried earth. Muscular for the second wine of Haut-Brion. Needs four or five years to soften and open. Best after 2029.

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast

The wine's structure is impressive. The firm tannins at the heart of the wine are solid. The ripe black fruits wrap around these tannins. The wine has fine potential.

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

More introverted and shy than during the en primeur tastings, the 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion offers up aromas of dark berries and spices mingled with pencil lead notes. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, it's framed by structured, youthful tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Give it time to digest its élevage.

92 Points - Decanter

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.