2022 Château Haut-Brion La Clarté de Haut-Brion

Winery Château Haut-Brion

Château Haut-Brion is one of Bordeaux's most historic and prestigious wineries and is among the five Premiers Grands Crus Classés of 1855. Located in Pessac-Léognan, the estate combines centuries-old tradition with modern precision in its vineyard and cellar. In addition to the iconic Grand Vin, the château also produces La Clarté de Haut-Brion, the dry white second wine. Terroir expression, refinement, and balance are key. More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region and terroir

The vineyards are situated on characteristic gravel soils with a clay and sand subsoil in Pessac-Léognan. This terroir imparts tension, minerality, and a clear structure to the white wines. The warm and dry 2022 growing season produced ripe, concentrated grapes while retaining sufficient freshness.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The 2022 La Clarté de Haut-Brion is blended from 53.7% Sauvignon Blanc and 46.3% Sémillon. Sauvignon Blanc provides aromatic intensity, freshness, and tension, while Sémillon contributes roundness, texture, and length. This combination results in a powerful yet refined white Bordeaux.

Harvest, vinification and maturation

After careful harvesting, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented under controlled conditions. Aging takes place partially in oak, which adds structure and complexity without sacrificing the fresh character. In 2022, this results in a wine with clear concentration and layering.

Color, smell and taste

Bright straw yellow with a light sheen. The nose reveals notes of oyster shell, crushed stone, and wet limestone, combined with lemon zest, lemon curd, and subtle herbal nuances.

The palate is full and layered with a slightly phenolic grip that provides structure. Ripe citrus, stony minerality, and a fresh core are supported by lively acidity. The finish is long, powerful, and flavorful, with a salty tension that adds extra length.

Drinking window and development

James Suckling rated this wine 96-97 points, highlighting its combination of minerality, concentration, and length. The 2022 is already impressively balanced, yet also has sufficient structure to develop further in the coming years.

Summary of professional reviews

With a high score of 96-97 points, the 2022 La Clarté de Haut-Brion is praised for its layers of citrus, minerality, and phenolic structure. Full-bodied, powerful, yet refined, it boasts a long and energetic finish. The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

Wine-Food and Discount

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers. In the "Food" tab, you'll find advice on what to consider for the perfect wine-food pairing and several dish suggestions from our Sommelier.