2014 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan

Love the sweet-tobacco and floral aromas to this with currant fruit as well. Full-bodied, solid and tight. Chewy tannins. A racy second wine of Haut-Brion with lots of tone and tension. Try in 2024. - jamessuckling.com, February 2017

A huge, voluptuous wine, the 2014 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion wraps around the palate with serious depth and power. The Merlot is especially opulent and concentrated. Super-ripe dark red cherry, plum, spice and leather flesh out in a wine that captures all of the richness of the dry Indian summer. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2014 Clarence is going to need time to fully come together. The blend is 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc.

The 2014 Le Clarence Haut-Brion has slightly blacker fruit than the 2014 La Chapelle de la Mission, developing subtle cigar box and tobacco scents with aeration but never slipping into fifth gear. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, lightly spiced with a veneer of new oak that seems in sync with the fruit. It tapers slightly but retains its smooth and seductive texture. This is a well-crafted Deuxième Vin. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. - vinous.com, March 2018

Tasted blind. Mid garnet. Leafy and fragrant with dark fruit. Firm but fine tannins. Really good balance between fruit and structure. Classic Pessac. (JH)