2007 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 2007 Bordeaux tasting. The debut 2007 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has more vigor than the 2007 Les Carmes Haut-Brion; red dusky fruit, warm gravel and a touch of leather opens nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, almost Pomerol-like in style with a fresh, savory, bacon fat-tinged finish. I would drink this now rather than later. Tasted March 2015.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Mild, reasonably subtle but pretty underpowered maturing claret. Good persistence but I’m not sure it really showcases what Pessac-Léognan has to offer. Pleasant enough but… (JR)
(51% merlot, 34% cabernet sauvignon and 15% cabernet franc; this is the new name for Haut-Brion's second wine, replacing Bahans Haut-Brion) Good red-ruby. Deeply pitched black fruits and a hint of tar on the nose, lifted by pepper, spices and herbs. Offers moderate ripeness and flesh, with the pepper and herbal qualities giving the mid-palate a faint greenness. I find this a bit austere but savory and juicy. Finishes with dusty, fairly light tannins. Jean-Philippe Delmas noted that "Clarence" is easier to pronounce than "Bahans" for most of the estate's clients outside France.
New name, new wine style! 51% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc. Debut vintage for this new name for the old Bahans, second wine of Haut-Brion . Smoky, toasty, leathery notes on the nose. Pretty impressive intensity for a second wine! Round and supple on the palate – almost not like Bordeaux at all! Seems very Merlot based. Soft and supple with some hint of first growth polish. Neat, dry finish and pretty good length – just no great tannic depths. (JR)
About the producer
Ch. Haut-Brion is the only classified growth in Pessac-Léognan. One of the five First Growths, it is renowned for producing both exceptional reds and whites. Along with its sister estate, Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion, it is part of the Clarence Dillon stable.