2018 Château Haut Brion Le Clarence de Haut-Brion

Of all the premier crus of Bordeaux, Haut-Brion is the greatest charmer, always elegant and refined and always in top condition, young or old. Haute Brion is the oldest and historically the most colorful winery in the Gironde - it was here that the first Bordeaux was made from a single vineyard in the 17th century, first served in London coffeehouses and praised by many eminent writers. In 1935 the estate was bought by Clarence Dillon, an American banker. He invested large sums in the renovation of the chai and the vineyard. In 1960 Haut-Brion became the first premier cru to replace wooden barrels with stainless steel tanks. In 1983 the Dillon family bought the adjacent Château la Mission Haut-Brion. Haut-Brion is almost always the fastest maturing and most accessible of the premier crus, but that casual, young charm is deceptive, as the wine ages beautifully.

Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, 2nd vin du Château Haut-Brion is the second wine of Ch. Haut Brion, which used to be called 'Bahans Haut Brion'. The name 'Clarence' is a tribute to the American banker Clarence Dillon who bought the domain in 1935. Today it is his descendant Prince Robert de Luxembourg who is the director and owner. The second wine is of a very high standard and can compete with the first wines of many other Pessac Léognans.

Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2018 is a blend of 58.2% Merlot, 28.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.7% Cabernet Franc and 3.6% Petit-Verdot, harvested from September 6 to October 2. Colored deep garnet purple, the wine opens with a very serious nose of earthy notes with tilled freshly plowed soil, truffles, undergrowth and crushed rocks - giving way to notions of chocolate pastry, kirsch and currants with hints of cassis and pencil curls. The palate is full-bodied, the palate is energetic, fresh, elegant with layers of red and black fruit with a soft, round texture and a lively minty finish.