- Nick's Import
2014 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion
Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux,
FRANCE
$199. 00
Bottle
$2388.00 Dozen
Other Reviews...
The Le Clarence de Haut Brion 2014 is a blend of 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. (There was a lot of Merlot due to a lot of deselection from the Grand Vin.) It has an immediately engaging bouquet, perhaps better definition than the Chapelle de la Mission, a little more mineralité coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, cohesive, tighter and more linear than the La Chapelle with longer persistence on the finish. Excellent. Drink 2017 - 2028.
89-91 points
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate # 218 (Apr 2015)
Plump, fleshy and inviting in feel, with a strong plum pâte de fruit note leading the way, backed by anise, blueberry and tar flavors. Picks up lots of briary grip on the finish. Still youthfully raw, but exhibits good energy and stuffing. Tasted non-blind.
91-94 points
J.M. - Wine Spectator
The fruit feels cleverly fleshed out, attractive brambly depth, slight toasted almonds on the nose. Again fine tannins, clean lift on the finish, clear feeling of extracting the tannins just as far as they can and not a step more. The finish is a touch tight, but this is astringent not bitter, and bodes well for an excellent quality fairly early to medium term drinker. 80% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon.
17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Decanter
Gorgeous second wine for Haut-Brion with firm and savory tannins. Full, refined and layered with meat, tobacco, dark fruit and earth. Serious.
93-94 points
James Suckling
The Le Clarence de Haut Brion 2014 is a blend of 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. (There was a lot of Merlot due to a lot of deselection from the Grand Vin.) It has an immediately engaging bouquet, perhaps better definition than the Chapelle de la Mission, a little more mineralité coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, cohesive, tighter and more linear than the La Chapelle with longer persistence on the finish. Excellent. Drink 2017 - 2028.
89-91 points
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate # 218 (Apr 2015)
Plump, fleshy and inviting in feel, with a strong plum pâte de fruit note leading the way, backed by anise, blueberry and tar flavors. Picks up lots of briary grip on the finish. Still youthfully raw, but exhibits good energy and stuffing. Tasted non-blind.
91-94 points
J.M. - Wine Spectator
The fruit feels cleverly fleshed out, attractive brambly depth, slight toasted almonds on the nose. Again fine tannins, clean lift on the finish, clear feeling of extracting the tannins just as far as they can and not a step more. The finish is a touch tight, but this is astringent not bitter, and bodes well for an excellent quality fairly early to medium term drinker. 80% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon.
17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Decanter
Gorgeous second wine for Haut-Brion with firm and savory tannins. Full, refined and layered with meat, tobacco, dark fruit and earth. Serious.
93-94 points
James Suckling