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Le Clarence de Haut-Brion

2020
Blend
100% Red Bordeaux Blend
Country
France
Region
Bordeaux
Appellation
Pessac-Leognan
UPC
0 15643 70504 5
Red Wine
Verified Stock
11351-20
Product Ratings
James Suckling 96-97pt

Very plush and tannic with full body and lots of structure and intensity. Top second wine. Very solid and quite muscular with fine tannins and texture.

by James Suckling, 2021
Wine Advocate 91-93+pt

A blend of 60.1% Merlot, 31.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.7% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot, harvested from the 7th to the 29th of September, the 2020 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has an estimated alcohol of 15.2%. Deep purple-black in color, it bursts from the glass with notions of baked black cherries, blackberry pie and plum preserves, leading to hints of ripe redcurrants, spice cake and smoked meats, plus a touch of hoisin. The big, rich, full-bodied palate is a full-on decadent mouthful, featuring lovely freshness to lift all that rich black fruit and a velvety texture, finishing long and spicy. A beautiful behemoth that is going to wow the hedonists!

by Wine Advocate, 2021
Wine Enthusiast 94pt

This year, the second wine of Haut-Brion brings out much of the initial austerity of its senior sibling. It has tannins and fruits that are centered around the wine's structure. Expect this wine to age well.

by Wine Enthusiast, 2021

Vintage

Winegrowers are cautious by nature. However, this year, we are throwing this legendary caution to the wind to announce the birth of a beautiful and very great vintage. The newborn is so magnificent and full of promise that it is difficult to contain our enthusiasm. We will not beat about the bush: 2009 is extraordinary, undoubtedly worthy of a place of honor in the Hall of Fame along with the legendary 1929, 1947, 1949, 1959, 1961,1982, 1989, 1990, 2000, and 2005 vintages.

Tasting notes

The second wine, which used to be called Bahans Haut-Brion, is now Le Clarence Haut-Brion. The 2009 is a 7,000-case cuvee made of 46% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and a tiny dosage of Petit Verdot. The wine has a fabulous nose of incense, burning embers, forest floor, and black cherry liqueur. Fleshy, rich, full-bodied, but not over the top as the minerality and structure move in, this is a super-duper effort, and the greatest second wine made at Haut-Brion since the 1989 Bahans Haut-Brion. It should drink well for 20-25 years. (Tasted once.)

Weather

Temperature sum : 3 455°C.
Rainfall : 388 mm.
Number of days over 30°C : 22.
Harvesting began : August 31st – October 6th.