The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut Brion is a Bordeaux blend from the Pessac-Léognan region in France. Produced by Le Clarence de Haut Brion, this red wine is a composition of 62.1% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc, and 1.5% Petit Verdot. The wine has received notable praise from several professional reviewers.

Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com gives the wine a stellar rating of 95 points, describing it as “refined, silky and fresh” with a nose evoking “cigar box, spice, burning herbs, black plums, and cherries.” He notes the wine’s “elegant finish” and suggests that it can be enjoyed while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop.

Yohan Castaing of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate rates it 93 points, highlighting its “bright, fruity bouquet” with aromas of “dark berries, plums, tobacco, graphite, and spices.” Castaing describes the palate as “medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, textural and fleshy” with a fresh and tense finish, calling it “a very nice way to introduce the great wine of Haut-Brion.”

James Suckling also rates the wine highly at 95 points, noting its “fine and lightly chewy tannins” and flavors of “dark chocolate, crushed stone, and graphite.” He describes it as “subtle” and medium- to full-bodied.

Jane Anson and Decanter both give the wine a score of 92 points. Anson describes it as having a “dense plush texture” with notes of “crushed roses, damson puree, orange peel, cocoa beans, and baked spices.” Decanter praises its “liquorice, blackcurrant and chocolate” nose, and notes its “sappy and wonderfully vibrant” character with a “velvety and mouth-filling” texture.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous awards the wine 94 points, calling it “fabulous” and “rich, deep, and explosive.” He mentions its “sumptuous dark fruit” and “gorgeous savory nuance,” highlighting its complexity.

Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss rates it 95 points, emphasizing its “impressive structure” and “ripe black fruits” that “wrap around these tannins.” He believes the wine has “fine potential.”

Finally, The Wine Independent scores the wine 93 points, describing it as having “crunchy black fruits and rounded tannins” with “impressive freshness.”

In summary, the 2022 Le Clarence de Haut Brion is a well-regarded Bordeaux blend, praised for its refined elegance, rich fruit profile, and impressive structure. It stands as a noteworthy second wine of Château Haut-Brion, offering a glimpse into the estate’s celebrated winemaking prowess.