Le Clarence de Haut Brion 2011 Chateau Haut Brion

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (93)

he second wine of Haut-Brion is now called Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, and the 2010 is among the finest I have tasted there. It is a broad, powerful and more muscular wine than its cross-street rival, La Chapelle de la Mission, but all the same, it is wonderfully fresh and precise, with notes of blueberry and boysenberry as well as hints of smoke and wet stones. Endowed with gorgeous fruit, texture, purity and elegance, this relatively dense second wine demonstrates how draconian the selection process has become for the top estates in Bordeaux in recent years. The blend of this wine is 52% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc with just a touch of Petit Verdot. I would expect it to last at least 20 years, which is remarkable.

Winespectator (92)

Features a tarry frame that holds the core of steeped plum, black currant and blackberry fruit together. The juicy, relatively accessible finish lets briar and tobacco notes fill in, but keeps a polished, refined feel overall.

Rene Gabriel (17)

Rene Gabriel rates this wine 17/20 points.

BOW (8)