Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion 2014

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Much better from bottle than barrel, this continues developing nicely. Perfumed, silky, elegant and refined, the smoky, dark, ripe, sweet, fresh, red fruits, spice, earth and tobacco linger and build."

WEINWISSER: "54 % Cabernet Franc, 44 % Merlot, 12 % Cabernet Sauvignon. 30'000 Flaschen. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Geniales Bouquet, schwarze Beeren, Holunder, Cassis, Mokkatouch, Veilchennoten, also tiefgründig und verspielt zugleich. Im Gaumen extrem elegant, hochfeine, reife Tannine, superbe Balance. Kein Bulldozer, sondern ein sehr femininer Pessac. Ein Carmes mit Charme!"

JEB DUNNUCK: "I tasted the 2014 Château les Carmes Haut Brion (54% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon) last year at the estate, yet it showed even better this year and has gained both depth and richness. Possessing an inky purple color and beautiful notes of blueberries, currants, exotic flowers, bay leaf and a hint of graphite, this medium to full-bodied 2014 has polished tannin, impressive mid-palate depth, and a layered, elegant texture that’s already hard to resist. Like most 2014s it shines for its elegance and purity more so than power and richness. Enjoy bottles anytime over the coming two to three decades."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Extremely perfumed with violets, lavender and hot stones as well as fruit and dark chocolate. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and silky and fresh. A lovely and bright wine now."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "92–94. Barrel Sample. Dusty tannins float in this impressive wine. It has dark layers of black fruits and acidity that cushion the dry, tannic character, with great freshness at the end."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Bright, healthy, deep crimson. Stony nose with masses of ripe fruit. Lots of flesh and interest. Good balance and interest."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2014 Les Carmes Haut Brion has a very ripe, fig-tinged bouquet with red cherries, orange sorbet and faint tarry scents. This has more bravado than many of its Pessac-Léognan peers. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannin. It comes across as more modern in style than its peers, silky smooth with caressing succulent red cherry and blackberry fruit leading to a polished finish. It has very good body and density, though I find much more complexity on the 2015. I remarked that I wanted to see how well the oak integrates with this Les Carmes Haut-Brion and at this early stage, I wait to be totally convinced that all the constituent parts are singing from the same hymn sheet."

DECANTER: "Good lift, supple but firm tannins. Well-extracted dark fruits with bitter chocolate and spice. High acidity, a bit austere and lean but has impact. Important investment going on; there’s ambition here. One to watch. Drinking Window 2018 - 2030"

WINE SPECTATOR: "This has a fresh feel, with a juniper streak adding energy to the plum coulis, red currant and bramble notes. Flecks of bay, pepper and tobacco fill in on the finish, giving this good range. Not the densest of the pack, but well done. Best from 2018 through 2026."