2018 Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Red Bordeaux Blend

France / Bordeaux / Graves / Pessac-Leognan

$2,325
RP 96
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2018 Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, France

Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Among the classic elegance of Pessac-Léognan, the Carmes top wine has carved out its own niche. Unprecedented proportions of Cabernet Franc offer a silky power which is then supported by the intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon. Within this structure, Merlot develops rounded and refined fruitiness: balance is the order of the day, ensuring a style that is complex and delicious in equal measures.

Blend:
37% Cabernet Franc
34% Cabernet Sauvignon
29% Merlot

VINEYARDS
Surface area planted in 2018: 29.60 ha.
Plots used to make the Grand Vin: 7.60 ha.
Plantation density: 10,000 vines / ha.
Average age of the vines in 2018: 41 years-old
Soil types: Mindel graves on clay and limestone
Harvesting: 100% hand-picked
Harvest dates: 13rd September – 28th September 2018


VINIFICATION TECHNIQUES
Vats used: Thermoregulated tanks: Tronconic stainless steel tanks (60Hl) • Wooden tanks (76 Hl) • Concrete tanks (50 Hl)
Initial fermentation: 25 - 30 days
Malolactic fermentation in the barrels: Partial
Barrel maturing: 75% new oak barrels, 16% foudres, 9% terracotta amphorae
Duration: 24 months
Noteworthy features of the vinification and / or maturing processes: All vats vinified without crushing, and partly by whole bunch fermentation. Cap punching only.
Composition of the wine: 13.5% alc. / 3.64 pH

RP 96

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 96+) The 2018 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is composed of 37% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot. It was made using 52% whole cluster and has 13.75% alcohol. It was aged in 75% new oak barriques, 16% foudres and 9% amphorae. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing before bursting from the glass with vibrant scents blackberry preserves, redcurrant jelly, mulberries and Black Forest cake, leading to an undercurrent of pencil lead, black truffles, cast-iron pan and charcoal with an emerging waft of violets. The elegantly crafted, medium-bodied palate dances with red and black fruits before bursting into earth and mineral sparks. It has a sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and savory. The stem tannins lend this wine a firmness and textural interest, which should integrate further with another 5-6 years in barrel, allowing the nuances to shine through even more, then you can continue to enjoy its slow evolution for a further 30+ years. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Issue date: March 2021. Drinking window: 2026 - 2056.

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We ship within the United States to:

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY.

FREE SHIPPING INSURANCE: We provide FREE carrier insurance for lost or damaged shipments (per carrier terms and conditions.)

FREE WINE STORAGE: We provide FREE 6 Months wine cellar storage from date of purchase. Please choose this option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping for a later date.

SHIPPING: During warm summer weather, we recommend to only ship within the United States with Same Day or Next Day Air service to protect the wines from environmental damage. If you would like to waive this protection by shipping Ground, we will request a waiver be signed.

PACKAGING: Our premium wines need optimal temperature consistency, therefore are packaged in EPS foam shippers with gel pack (when needed) and shipped only during ideal weather temperatures.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, wine bottles will be removed from case and shipped inside a foam shipper box for safety (unless otherwise requested). The wooden case will be shipped separately at Ground service. If faster service is necessary please contact us.

WEATHER HOLD: In adverse temperature conditions, we reserve the right to withhold shipment until ideal temperatures return unless we receive explicit instructions via email to release the wines, voiding any guarantee. We will contact you if a hold is necessary.

FULFILLMENT: Shipments are via UPS.

  • Orders received Monday - Thursday before 2:00 p.m. will typically ship the same day.
  • Orders received Thursday 2:00 p.m. ~ Sunday will ship on Monday.

DELIVERY:

  • Same Day service within Los Angeles Metro area may be available if order is placed before noon, but not guaranteed. Please contact us directly at (626)714-7006 to facilitate expedited service.
  • During extreme temperatures, all shipments are recommended for Next Day Air.

Adult Signature: By law, all shipments of alcohol must be received and authorized by an adult. Our delivery carriers will not release packages without an adult signature and additional charges may be incurred if the package requires withholding or redirection.

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We ship within the United States to: Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), and Wyoming (WY).

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
RP 96

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 96+) The 2018 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is composed of 37% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot. It was made using 52% whole cluster and has 13.75% alcohol. It was aged in 75% new oak barriques, 16% foudres and 9% amphorae. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing before bursting from the glass with vibrant scents blackberry preserves, redcurrant jelly, mulberries and Black Forest cake, leading to an undercurrent of pencil lead, black truffles, cast-iron pan and charcoal with an emerging waft of violets. The elegantly crafted, medium-bodied palate dances with red and black fruits before bursting into earth and mineral sparks. It has a sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and savory. The stem tannins lend this wine a firmness and textural interest, which should integrate further with another 5-6 years in barrel, allowing the nuances to shine through even more, then you can continue to enjoy its slow evolution for a further 30+ years. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Issue date: March 2021. Drinking window: 2026 - 2056.

2018 Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, France

Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Among the classic elegance of Pessac-Léognan, the Carmes top wine has carved out its own niche. Unprecedented proportions of Cabernet Franc offer a silky power which is then supported by the intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon. Within this structure, Merlot develops rounded and refined fruitiness: balance is the order of the day, ensuring a style that is complex and delicious in equal measures.

Blend:
37% Cabernet Franc
34% Cabernet Sauvignon
29% Merlot

VINEYARDS
Surface area planted in 2018: 29.60 ha.
Plots used to make the Grand Vin: 7.60 ha.
Plantation density: 10,000 vines / ha.
Average age of the vines in 2018: 41 years-old
Soil types: Mindel graves on clay and limestone
Harvesting: 100% hand-picked
Harvest dates: 13rd September – 28th September 2018


VINIFICATION TECHNIQUES
Vats used: Thermoregulated tanks: Tronconic stainless steel tanks (60Hl) • Wooden tanks (76 Hl) • Concrete tanks (50 Hl)
Initial fermentation: 25 - 30 days
Malolactic fermentation in the barrels: Partial
Barrel maturing: 75% new oak barrels, 16% foudres, 9% terracotta amphorae
Duration: 24 months
Noteworthy features of the vinification and / or maturing processes: All vats vinified without crushing, and partly by whole bunch fermentation. Cap punching only.
Composition of the wine: 13.5% alc. / 3.64 pH

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