19,5
WEINWISSER: "48 % Cabernet Franc, 29 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 23 % Merlot, pH 3.61, Alkoholgehalt 13.2. 25 hl/ha aufgrund strengster Selektion, 52 % ganze Trauben wurden verarbeitet. Was für ein verführerisches Parfüm, ein Strauß von Iris-, Flieder- und Veilchen. Im zweiten Ansatz frisch gepflückte Heidelbeere, Brombeeregelee und edle Cassiswürze. Am königlichen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanningerüst, unglaubliche Fineße und Tiefe, perfekt definierter Körper. Im konzentrierten nicht enden wollenden Finale blaue- und schwarzbeerige Konturen, dunkle Mineralität und erhabene Adstringenz. Der beste Wein aus Pessac-Léognan und damit eine MUST-Kaufempfehlung! Die neue Version von Bordeaux, für den frühen Genuß bestimmt."
98
VINUM: "Dunkles Rubinrot; strahlender Duft, tiefgründig, komplex, feinwürzige Noten, weisser Pfeffer, Veilchen, Heidelbeeren, subtil auch weisser Tee, krautige Noten; am Gaumen gradlinig, klar und rein wie ein Bergbach, top strukturiert, Massen an Tannin von ausgezeichneter Qualität, diese Gerbstoffe machen sich erst ganz hinten am Gaumen bemerkbar, stützen die Frucht, geschliffen, präzis, von erhabener Länge und einmal mehr mit grosser Eleganz und Finesse."
97-
98
JAMES SUCKLING: "This is always an idiosyncratic wine. This year it’s stunning, with a unique floral aspect and excellent depth of pure blue fruit, mulberries, dried herbs and white pepper. So juicy and mouthwatering on the palate, with a medium to full body and fine tannins. There is a crystalized mouthfeel, but the tannins are fresh and well knit. This is already delicious, which indicates its superb balance. 48% cabernet franc, 29% cabernet sauvignon and 23% merlot."
96
DECANTER: "This wine presents a perfumed, floral nose with red and pink flowers, transitioning to dark fruit with a pink-purple rim. Cool blue fruit and inky tones define the aromatics. Chalky and bright, it exhibits racy acidity and vibrant energy although remains relatively compact with firm, appealingly grippy tannins. The fruit is pure - cranberry, strawberry, and raspberry - lacking excessive ripeness but offering clarity. Notes of iodine, ink, salt, black pepper, liquorice, and graphite add complexity. Structured and intense yet refined, it avoids heaviness, with fine tannins forming a robust frame. The finish is long, clean, and slightly creamy, with enduring flavours. This really embodies Les Carmes’ chiselled character. With time, it gains sweetness, chewiness, and density, revealing greater depth. 52% whole bunch fermentation. Ageing occurs in 70% new barrels, 19% 18hl vats, and 11% amphorae, with a 3.61pH. Complex, structured, and profound."
95-
97
LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple colored. Slowly unfurls to reveal classic Franc notes of red currant jelly, fresh blackberries, and pencil shavings, followed by hints of rose oil, fragrant soil, and crushed rocks. The light to medium-bodied palate shimmers with electric red and black berry flavors, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. Nice!"
94-
97
JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2024 Château Carmes Haut-Brion comes from 7.8 hectares of vines in the heart of Pessac and is 48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance 23% Merlot that was vinified with 52% whole clusters and will spend two years in 70% new barrels as well as smaller portions in vats and amphora. It's one of the darker-hued wines in the vintage and has a terrific nose of ripe black fruits, smoky earth, violets, crushed stone, and hints of lead pencil. It's medium to full-bodied, has ultra-fine tannins, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and a great finish. I think it's clearly one of the top wines in the vintage."
95
FALSTAFF: "Anfangs sehr verschlossen im Duft, öffnet dann auf: zu Heidelbeere, Herzkirsche und schwarzem Pfeffer. Die Gaumenstruktur setzt geschmeidig an, entfaltet dann einen sehr homogenen, feinen Gerbstoffdruck, außer einer recht präsenten Säure zeigt der Wein nur geringe Anzeichen des Jahrgangstyps. Die Frucht hallt mit großer Reintönigkeit und Länge nach, auch die Mineralität ist gut präsent."
94-
96
THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Showing one of the deepest colors of the vintage, the wine pops with flowers, black cherries, licorice, smoke, chocolate, and plums in the aromatic profile. The wine is supple, spicy, and fragrant in the mouth, leaving you with sweet, spicy, peppery, black cherries, marine influences, and crushed rocks which come through in the mid-palate, through to the finish. The wine was made using 52% whole bunch clusters, blending 48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 23% Merlot, 13.2% ABV, pH 3.6. The wine is aging in a combination of 70% new, French oak, 19% foudres and 11% amphora. Picking took place September 17- September 27. Drink from 2027-2047."
93-
96
THE WINE ADVOCATE: "One of the most impressive wines of the vintage, the 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a striking effort that sets itself apart with seamless integration, even at this early stage, and a strong sense of identity. Poised, precise and unmistakably singular, it opens in the glass with a perfumed bouquet of iris, violet, dark berries, cherries, vine smoke and gentian. Medium to full-bodied, supple and notably fleshy for the vintage, it’s layered and textural, with a sappy, enveloping core of pure, vibrant fruit framed by finely grained, velvety tannins, culminating in a long, precise and gently stemmy finish. This is one of the rare wines of the vintage where sappiness is expressed with such finesse and charm, thanks in no small part to meticulous vineyard work and severe sorting in the winery. The blend is composed of 48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot, and it's maturing in a combination of 70% new oak, 19% foudres and 11% amphorae."
94
ANSON: "Inky depths to the colour, touch of reduction on the opening as is often the case with En Primeur Carmes, this delivers energy, density, clarity. Austerity on the finish, but plenty of interest, savoury and muscular juicy black fruits, expect a wine that is built around about texture, architecture and savour, which is not something that I have found in many bottles in the vintage. 90% new oak, split between barrels and casks, 11% amphoras. Harvest 17 to 27 September. 3.61 pH, clay and limestone, 60 years old average vine age. 46hl/H yield in vineyard, 41hl/h after picking selection, then 24hl/h after cellar selection. All press used, no chaptilisation."
