Le Clarence de Haut Brion 2015

Racy and refined second wine with polished and pretty tannins. Full body. Pretty.

Less than half of the total production of Haut-Brion went into the second wine, such was the quality of the Grand Vin in 2015. This is rich and well upholstered, with a complex, refined palate, tannins that are almost Italianate in intensity and refreshing acidity. Drink: 2022-32

The 2015 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a blend of 57% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon picked between 8 September and 5 October. Compared directly with the La Chapelle Mission Haut-Brion, I find that this does not quite possess the same delineation at the moment. This is broodier and more introspective in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, layers of dark berry fruit tinged with tobacco and cedar, gaining weight towards the finish that fans out with a sense of conviction. This should turn out to be an authoritative deuxième vin that will probably be consumed in its youth, but clearly possesses the substance to repay ageing. Those with wise heads will afford it 5-6 years in bottle.

57% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon. Picked from 8 September to 5 October. Early picking because of stress. Some obvious Cabernet Sauvignon on the nose. Sweetness on the front palate and then marked fine tannins. Not nearly knit. Very inky finish. Not a charmer at the moment! Dried-grape impression on the end. But there's a little more grace than in the Chapelle de La Mission.