The 2015 Le Clarence de Haut Brion is a Bordeaux blend composed of 57% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc, hailing from the esteemed Pessac Leognan sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This second wine of the renowned Chateau Haut-Brion offers a medium to full-bodied experience with a 14.5% alcohol content and is sealed with a cork closure.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com rates this wine at 93 points, highlighting its "elegant, polished, silky textured fruits" and its "ability to age for a decade or more." He notes that the wine leans towards the ripe, red fruit spectrum with commendable refinement and purity.
Jeb Dunnuck, on jebdunnuck.com, awards the wine 91 points. He describes it as having a "classic, straight profile" and "medium-bodied richness," with characteristic Graves notes of "tobacco leaf, cedary spice, currants, and plums." Dunnuck suggests that the wine will improve with a few years of aging and can be enjoyed for at least a decade.
James Suckling, on jamessuckling.com, gives this vintage an excellent score of 95, praising its "aromas of forest floor, mushrooms, lavender, and violets," and calling it "full-bodied, tight and structured with fantastic tannins and focus." He recommends starting to drink it from 2023.
Vinous, scoring it 92 points, describes the wine as "very serious" and capturing the vintage's personality "with terrific eloquence." The tasting notes mention an infusion of "black cherry, mocha, tobacco, chocolate, and violet," concluding with a "dark, virile finish."
Wine Enthusiast also rates the wine at 93 points, emphasizing its "dense and concentrated" nature, with "weight, firm tannins, and power" along with "juicy black fruits and acidity." The publication suggests it will be best enjoyed from 2023.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gives the 2015 vintage a score of 93+, calling it "a seriously impressive vintage" with "wonderful concentration and depth." The review highlights its "firm, beautifully rounded tannins and lively acid" and a long, earthy finish.
Decanter rates the wine 91 points and praises its "excellent tannin structure" and "very good quality fruit of great length." They note that it is "more powerful than La Chapelle this year" and suggest it will develop slowly over time.
Lastly, Wine Spectator awards the wine 94 points, describing it as having a "warm, plush, inviting feel" with notes of "tar, melted licorice, and cocoa" followed by "warm plum and blackberry reduction flavors." They recommend drinking it between 2022 and 2035.
Overall, the 2015 Le Clarence de Haut Brion is a highly regarded Bordeaux blend with excellent aging potential and a diverse array of flavors and aromas that promise a rewarding drinking experience.