The 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion [Bordeaux Blend] has garnered widespread acclaim from multiple esteemed reviewers, solidifying its status as a standout wine from this vintage. This red wine hails from the Pessac Leognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France, and is produced by Les Carmes Haut Brion. The blend consists of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 26% Merlot, with notable use of 70% whole bunch clusters during fermentation.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com describes the wine as having a "black, purple hue" with an array of complex aromas including "black, blue and red fruits, incense, curry, flowers, smoke, and herbs." Leve praises its "full-bodied and dense" character while noting its elegance and power. He rates it 100 points, comparing it favorably to the perfect 2016 vintage.
Jeb Dunnuck of jebdunnuck.com also gave the wine a perfect score, emphasizing its "classic bouquet of ripe blackberries, cassis, leafy herbs, graphite, and violets." Dunnuck highlights its "rare mix of purity, freshness, and power," predicting it will rival the 2018 vintage as one of the finest from this estate.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, represented by Yohan Castaing, concurs with a 100-point score, calling the wine "remarkable" and a "strong candidate for the title of wine of the vintage." Castaing praises its "complex aromas of blackberries and cherries mingled with notions of exotic spices, orange zest, pencil lead, rose petals, and vine smoke."
James Suckling from jamessuckling.com awards it 98 points, appreciating its "umami with sea urchin character" and "exotic character." He notes the wine's impressive "integrity and richness."
Jane Anson, writing for janeanson.com, gives it a 96-point score, noting its unique character and "grip and stretching out through the palate." She mentions its fragrant aromatics and the “texture and tannic heft.”
Antonio Galloni of Vinous rates it 100 points, describing it as "unforgettable" and praising its "tremendous energy" and "remarkable density." Galloni notes its modern style that marries "Bordeaux classicism with hints of Northern Rhône and Piedmont inflections."
Decanter also awards the wine 100 points, hailing it as "an exceptional wine" and emphasizing its "intensely fragrant" nose and "crystalline purity."
Finally, The Wine Independent scores it 99 points, highlighting its "lifted notes of redcurrant jelly, wild blueberries, blackcurrant pastilles, and lavender" and describing it as a "vibrant, showy, immediately impactful wine."
In conclusion, the 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a critically acclaimed Bordeaux blend, praised for its complexity, balance, and distinctive character. With multiple perfect scores, it stands out as a remarkable achievement in the 2022 vintage.