Carmes Haut Brion

Innovative whole-cluster vinification - Pessac-Léognan

The wines of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion : purchase at the best price !

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a gem within the Bordeaux vineyard landscape. Nestled in the Pessac-Léognan region, this estate stands out for its unique grape composition, respect for the terroir, and distinctive vinification style. Acquired by real estate developer Patrice Pichet in 2010, the estate has transformed while preserving the soul and authenticity that make it one of Bordeaux’s most original crus today.

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Les Carmes Haut Brion 2003
6 in stock
74082
Red
75
88/100
16/20
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Bordeaux | Pessac Léognan
Carmes Haut Brion 2003
€144.00 inc-VAT per bt.
€120.00 ex-VAT

History of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

The origins of this historic estate date back to 1584, when Jean de Pontac, lord of Haut-Brion, gifted several plots to Carmelite monks. This land, located in a setting ideal for viticulture, was destined for vine cultivation, hence the name “Les Carmes Haut-Brion.” The monks tended these lands for two centuries, producing renowned wine, until the property was sold as a national asset during the French Revolution.

In 1840, the estate passed into the hands of Léon Colin, an ancestor of the Chantecaille-Furt family, who retained ownership until it was acquired by Groupe Pichet in 2010. This purchase by Patrice Pichet marked a decisive turning point: under his direction, the vineyard underwent a complete transformation, incorporating modern winemaking methods and an innovative winery designed by famed designer Philippe Starck and architect Luc Arsène-Henry. Inaugurated in 2016, this winery is both a work of art and a technological asset, dedicated to exceptional winemaking.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

The terroir of Les Carmes Haut-Brion is unique, endowing the wines with a distinctive character. Spanning a total area of 29.6 hectares, the estate is cultivated on a mosaic of soils, including gravel, clay, and sand, ideal for a varied and complex grape composition. The main vineyard, dedicated to the grand vin, stretches across 7.6 hectares adjacent to the château, benefiting from an urban microclimate favoured by the Peugue waters running through the estate.

The grape varieties planted on the estate reflect an audacious choice: 41% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc occupies a privileged position, offering delicate aromas and silky power thanks to gravel and clay soils that are especially suited to it. With an average vine age of 41 years and a planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare, the vineyard is managed using environmentally friendly practices, favouring horse ploughing to preserve biodiversity.

Vinifications at Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Vinification at Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion relies on innovative methods that respect the fruit’s integrity and reveal the terroir’s essence. One remarkable feature is the use of whole-cluster fermentation, with 45% of the grapes vinified as whole bunches. This slow infusion process allows gentle extraction, preserving aromatic purity and tannin finesse, and lends the wines a rare mineral freshness in the region.

Grapes are gravity-fed into the wooden, stainless steel, or concrete vats of the ultra-modern winery designed by Philippe Starck. The process excludes pump-overs or punch-downs, enabling a gradual and natural concentration of aromas and colour. Aging takes place in French oak barrels, with particular attention given to each cuvée. Additionally, around 5% of the wine is aged in clay amphorae, adding a mineral note and unique texture to the wines of Les Carmes Haut-Brion.

The Cuvées of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Les Carmes Haut-Brion

The estate’s main cuvée, Les Carmes Haut-Brion, is the result of a skilfully orchestrated blend where Cabernet Franc takes centre stage. This wine achieves a perfect balance between power and finesse, with red fruit notes, a complex aromatic intensity, and an elegant structure. Year after year, this cuvée stands out for its aging potential and a freshness that endures with time. The 2019 vintage, for instance, is particularly appreciated for its fruit transparency and limpid texture, while the 2020 impresses with its depth and dynamism.

Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion

Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion, the estate’s second wine, is crafted from vines located in the Martillac area. This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant cuvée is a perfect reflection of Bordeaux’s terroir, combining Cabernet’s structure with Merlot’s roundness. More accessible in its youth, Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion reveals crisp density and an elegant aromatic palette. Over time, it gains complexity, becoming a captivating introduction to the grand vin, ideal for Bordeaux enthusiasts in search of new discoveries.

Hommage au Siècle Marie-Jeanne

A rare and experimental wine, Hommage au Siècle Marie-Jeanne is a 100% Cabernet Franc cuvée, produced in only 300 bottles. Aged for four years in a combination of oak barrels and amphorae, this wine offers an exceptional purity of expression, celebrating the estate’s oldest vines. This rare treasure is a true homage to Cabernet Franc and a testament to the audacity and expertise of Les Carmes Haut-Brion.

The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two Bordeaux appellations, stand out for their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are particularly prized for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are equally remarkable for their structure and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 confirm this continuing excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.

Explore all the Grands Crus Classés de Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the First Growth of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historical reference. For red andwhite wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. For reds, you can discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine enthusiasts can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover in the heart of the Graves region.

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion embodies a balance between tradition and modernity, boldness and respect for the terroir. Since its acquisition by Patrice Pichet, the estate has established itself as one of Bordeaux’s most original crus, with an unmistakable signature and consistent quality, vintage after vintage. Its wines, marked by refined elegance and rare depth, captivate enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, making each bottle a testament to Bordeaux’s savoir-faire. Whether choosing the grand vin Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Le C des Carmes, or Hommage au Siècle Marie-Jeanne, the experience promises to be unique, revealing the richness and complexity of an exceptional terroir at the heart of Bordeaux.

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