{"product_id":"les-carmes-haut-brion-carmes-haut-brion-2020-75-cl","title":"Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003eLes Carmes Haut-Brion 2020 is one of Bordeaux’s most talked‑about modern classics – a Pessac-Léognan red that marries finesse, perfume and depth in a remarkably graceful frame. Intense yet almost weightless on the palate, it’s a wine that will captivate both seasoned collectors and curious Bordeaux lovers. The 2020 marks a pivotal vintage for the estate, showcasing Pouthier’s innovative whole-cluster approach on a broad scale with striking results.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, 2020 Les Carmes Haut-Brion shows a deep, vibrant garnet-purple hue, with a luminous edge that hints at both concentration and freshness. The nose is beautifully expressive, flowing with aromas of ripe blackberry and redcurrant, lifted notes of rose petals, exotic spice, raw cacao and a subtle thread of licorice. There’s a floral elegance and cool herbal nuance that speaks clearly of the high proportion of Cabernet Franc and whole-cluster fermentation.\n\nOn the palate, this is medium to full-bodied yet wonderfully fluid and refined, with gliding, silky tannins and a layered, almost weightless texture. Dark berries, wild red fruits and cocoa powder unfold gradually, supported by a spine of fresh acidity that carries the flavors into a long, precise, orange-zest–tinged finish. Despite its intensity and complexity, the alcohol is a modest 13.5%, giving the wine poise and drinkability. Still youthful, it has the structure and balance to age gracefully for 15–25 years, gaining further aromatic complexity and tertiary notes of tobacco, truffle and cedar with time in the cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLes Carmes Haut-Brion lies on the gravelly, limestone-rich soils of Pessac-Léognan, on the outskirts of Bordeaux, where deep gravel beds over clay and sand provide superb drainage and encourage deep root systems. The 2020 blend combines 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot, harvested by hand in small lots to preserve fruit integrity and allow highly precise selection. This vintage is the first in which winemaker Guillaume Pouthier’s methods – notably around 65% whole-cluster fermentation with a weighted cap and extended élevage in larger vessels – were applied on a large scale. Fermentation with intact stems adds aromatic lift, spice and a unique textural profile, while the long, gentle maturation in a mix of new and larger-format barrels preserves purity of fruit, complexity and that striking sense of harmony in the finished wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe elegance and aromatic complexity of 2020 Les Carmes Haut-Brion make it a superb partner for refined dishes: think roast lamb with herbs, veal with morel cream, pigeon or duck breast, and delicately smoked or charcoal-grilled beef. It also pairs beautifully with truffle dishes, wild mushrooms, and aged yet not overly powerful cheeses such as Comté or aged Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its freshness and perfume. Decant for 1–2 hours in its youth to allow the floral notes and spice to unfurl; as it matures, a shorter decant of around 30–45 minutes will be enough to remove sediment and let the bouquet fully open.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLes Carmes Haut-Brion traces its origins back to the 16th century and takes its name from the Carmelite monks who once owned vineyards in this privileged corner of what is now Pessac-Léognan. Nestled within the urban fringes of Bordeaux, the estate occupies an exceptional terroir adjacent to some of the region’s most illustrious names, yet has increasingly forged its own identity through a distinctive, Cabernet Franc–driven style. In recent years, under the direction of Guillaume Pouthier and owner Patrice Pichet, Les Carmes Haut-Brion has become one of the most innovative and sought‑after properties on the Left Bank, known for its pioneering use of whole-cluster fermentation, precision viticulture and meticulous cellar work. The estate is now widely recognized as a rising star of Bordeaux, regularly earning critical acclaim and a devoted following among collectors worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54252368003409,"sku":"PS-8006072139976","price":162.86,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/CARMES_20HAUT_20BRION_7c9bbada-0570-4bec-8b9b-65e566a3f8ac.png?v=1783444332","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/les-carmes-haut-brion-carmes-haut-brion-2020-75-cl","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}