2022 Ch. Carmes Haut Brion (Pessac Leognan)
One of the finest wines of a great vintage
April 23, 2025
 |
“a towering masterpiece… mind-blowing. Magnificent., Galloni Vinous
“perhaps even better than the perfect 2016” Jeff Leve
“utterly compelling. A true expression of place and a sure-fire hit.” Georgina Hindle, Decanter
After tastings in bottle, critics are unanimous in assessing the 2022 Carmes Haut Brion as near-perfect and one of the best wines of the fine 2022 vintage.
We quickly sold out en primeur and then a first post-bottling shipment, but we have just gotten another small allocation of this wine that is already in the country, so will have no added tariff.
“a towering masterpiece ... 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. .. 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 - Vinous Media)
Luminous ruby; radiant nose, extremely profound, multi-layered, pure goosebumps, ripe fruit, cassis and blackberries, above floral notes, smoke, lavender flowers, violets, cedars; straightforward palate, dense, concentrated, sensational tannins ensnare the fruit, not a gram of fat, yet builds up enormous pressure, while remaining highly elegant; in the finish of terrific length and with a lot of freshness. A moving, great Les Carmes Haut-Brion, amazingly different from anything else I have been able to taste. (Drinking from 2028 to 2065) Adrian van Velsem, Vinum
The first thing you notice is the black, purple hue. Next, it its the perfume with its black, blue and red fruits, incense, curry, flowers, smoke and herbs. Opulent, restrained, elegant and powerful, the wine comes in layers. You can sense the array of exotic spices, mint, blue and black fruits, crushed rocks, black cherries and white pepper on the palate. Full-bodied and dense, the wine somehow remains light on its feet. The end notes, meshing elegance and power bring everything together, as the finish crosses the 60 second mark. This is perhaps even better than the perfect, 2016!. Drink from 2025-2050. Jeff Leve
Deep and brooding, this wine is beautifully floral with violets, irises, and peonies alongside ripe black cherries, liquorice, and dark chocolate. Concentrated yet bursting with energy, it flows effortlessly across the palate. Vibrant red fruits - strawberry, cherry, raspberry - sit atop a mineral backbone of salty, wet stones. Crisp yet powdery tannins and bright acidity give incredible tension. Despite its depth, it feels almost weightless, so drinkable yet built to age. Pure, pristine, and vibrant, with no trace of heat - just balance and finesse. Juicy, lively, and utterly compelling. A true expression of place and a sure-fire hit. Georgina Hindle, Decanter (Perfect)
The 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is the finest wine bottled to date at this estate under. 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. Wine Advocate
The Technical information
The wine was made using 70% whole bunch clusters during fermentation. From a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot, 13.5% ABV, pH 3.6. The wine is aging in a combination of 70% new, French oak, 20% foudres and 10% amphora. Picking took place September 5 - September 22. Yields were 40 hectoliters per hectares.
2022 Ch Carmes Haut Brion
$190 the bottle
6 -bottle OWC $1140
3-bottle OWC (1 only) $570
Should arrive to us in two weeks
FREE DELIVERY!
downtown on orders more than $75;
in Greater Boston on orders more than $199
