2022 Château Haut Brion Le Clarence de Haut-Brion

Of all the Bordeaux premier crus, Haut-Brion is the most charming, always elegant and refined and always in top condition, young or old. Haut Brion is the oldest and historically the most colourful estate in the Gironde - it was here that the first single-vineyard Bordeaux was made in the 17th century, first served in London coffee houses and praised by many eminent writers. In 1935, the estate was bought by Clarence Dillon, an American banker. He invested large sums in renovating the chai and the vineyard. In 1960, Haut-Brion became the first premier cru to replace the wooden barrels with stainless steel tanks. In 1983, the Dillon family bought the neighbouring Château la Mission Haut-Brion. Haut-Brion is almost always the fastest maturing and most accessible of the premier crus, but this easy-going, young charm is deceptive, because the wine matures 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.

Origin: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France
Classification: Second wine of Château Haut-Brion
Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Style: Red – complex, powerful, velvety and elegant

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is anything but a regular second wine. Coming from the same exceptional terroir as the Grand Vin of Château Haut-Brion, this cuvée reflects the grandeur of the estate, but in a slightly more accessible and youthful style. In the warm, sunny 2022 vintage, Le Clarence shows itself exceptionally expressive. The wine opens with a deep nose of ripe blackcurrants, cherries, cassis and violets, framed by notes of cigar box, smoke, fine spices and graphite. On the palate it is immediately impressive: silky yet structured, with ripe, velvety tannins and a fresh core that lifts the whole. The balance between ripe fruit, mineral depth and refined wood influence is of a high level.

The finish is long, energetic and elegant, with a subtle touch of liquorice and cedar. Although this wine shows a lot of charm when young, it has enough power and structure to develop effortlessly.

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Wine and food pairings

The refined yet powerful style of Le Clarence de Haut-Brion makes it ideal for dishes that combine elegance with intensity and texture. The wine is a perfect partner for classically inspired dishes, but also comes into its own in more modern combinations.

Roast veal rib or beef with herb butter
The juiciness of the meat and the creaminess of the butter enhance the velvety structure of the wine. At the same time, the acids provide tension in the combination.

Leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic
Lamb complements the spicy and earthy components of the wine beautifully. The wine supports the dish without dominating.

Dishes with truffle or mushrooms
Risotto with truffle, pasta with chanterelles or oven-baked mushrooms bring out the earthy notes of the wine and create a harmonious whole.

Duck with a rich, fruity sauce
Dishes such as duck breast with blackcurrant or fig sauce complement the dark fruit and velvety tannins of the wine.

Matured cheeses with complexity
Old Comté, Mimolette extra-vieille or Tomme de Brebis form a powerful but balanced whole with this wine. The savoury and nutty character of the cheese enhances the length of the wine.

FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.