Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2022 – the intensity and delicateness of a red Pessac-Léognan Second Wine
The estate: Château Haut-Brion, the oldest of Bordeaux’s Grand Crus, boasts a heritage dating back five centuries. Founded in 1533 by Jean de Pontac in the Graves region, Château Haut-Brion’s wines quickly became coveted by Europe’s greatest monarchs. In 1663, Samuel Pepys, an English Parliament member, unwittingly contributed to Château Haut-Brion’s success through his diary, praising the wine’s “good and most particular taste.” First Grand Cru Classé outside the Médoc in 1855 and recognized as a Cru Classé in the Official Classification of Graves Wines in 1959, Château Haut-Brion continues to craft legendary wines, renowned for their exceptional consistency vintage after vintage. The Second Wine of the Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Haut-Brion, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, follows in its predecessor’s footsteps. Combining the qualities of a great wine with more immediate accessibility, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion upholds the estate’s legacy.
The vineyard: Chateau Haut-Brion, situated within the Pessac urban area, boasts an exceptional terroir on soils composed of multicolored gravel. This unique environment produces sumptuous, elegant, and precise wines that exhibit remarkable consistency from one vintage to the next.
The vintage: The 2022 vintage began with heavy winter rainfall, replenishing water reserves. Mild weather from February advanced early budburst, with minimal frost impact in April and a mild May. Uniform, high-quality flowering occurred in June, compensating for earlier dry spells. Despite a hot, dry summer, the vines thrived due to expert care and adaptive viticultural practices. Exceptional vineyard health led to an early harvest, starting on 17 August for whites and 29 August for reds.
Winemaking and ageing: Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2022 is aged in barrels (20% new).
Blend
The blend consists of Merlot (62.1%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21.9%), Cabernet Franc (14.5%), and Petit Verdot (1.5%).
Characteristics and tasting tips for Clarence from Haut-Brion 2022
Colour: The wine displays a bright, dazzling deep crimson color.
Nose: Intensely fresh, the nose reveals a fruity structure with notes of red fruits.
Palate: The precise, well-structured attack leads to a palate with delicate, juicy tannins, offering a delightful experience.
