The 2017 Les Carmes Haut Brion is a Bordeaux Blend that hails from the prestigious Pessac Leognan region in Bordeaux, France. This red wine exudes elegance and sophistication, showcasing the expertise and craftsmanship of the renowned producer, Les Carmes Haut Brion.
In the glass, this wine exhibits a deep, garnet-purple color, captivating the eye with its richness and intensity. On the nose, the wine delights with a complex bouquet of black olive, brine-tinged black fruit, crushed stone, and light minty aromas. These aromatics are quite intense, particularly considering the challenging vintage.
The palate of the 2017 Les Carmes Haut Brion is medium-bodied and showcases sappy red fruit flavors that evoke the Rhône Valley. Hints of fennel and thyme interweave with the red fruit, adding depth and complexity to the wine's profile. The finish is persistent and leaves a lasting impression on the palate.
Critics have praised this wine for its exceptional quality and unique characteristics. According to Neal Martin of Vinous, the 2017 Les Carmes Haut Brion is "delicious and distinctive." Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com describes it as a "silky, sensuous, and richly textured rendezvous," while James Suckling notes its "good depth and weight" on the palate.
Jeb Dunnuck highlights the wine's resemblance to the illustrious Haut-Brion, emphasizing its "level of purity and precision." This sentiment is echoed by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, which commends the wine's elegance, poise, and minerality. Decanter praises its gorgeous aromas of peony, iris, and cocoa-dusted black fruits, while Wine Spectator hails it as a distinctive and alluring expression of the appellation.
The 2017 Les Carmes Haut Brion is a wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for further development. It will continue to evolve and improve for the next 30 years or more. With its exceptional quality, this wine solidifies Les Carmes Haut Brion's position among the gems of Pessac and Bordeaux as a whole.