France

Sauvignon Blanc

Sémillon

Savagnin Blanc

Ch. Haut-Brion

La Clarte de Haut-Brion Pessac-Leognan

Bordeaux

Pessac-Léognan

Majority of Sémillon across the whole range this year. 42% new oak. Always one of the great value wines of Bordeaux, which might sound ridiculous but the sheer quality is incredibly consistent. Vibrant, structured, pure, touch of stone fruits, dominant apricot pit, juicy and joyful. Lovely quality. Harvest September 2 to 10, 3.22ph, 38hl/h yield.

Inside Bordeaux

Skyrockets out with intense scents of lime cordial, fresh grapefruit, and lemonade, plus hints of chalk dust and chamomile blossoms. The light-bodied palate is lively and intense with chalky sparks complementing the zesty flavors, finishing with impressive length.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Duft av sommermodne stikkelsbær, solsikke, super gul floralsk stil. Veldig burgundersk nesten på nesen, sett bort ifra stikkelsbær.

Smak av noe mer tropisk. Elsker hvordan syren og primærfrukten spiller så godt i lag. Veldig gule plommer.

93+p.

Expert

Apricot pit, pineapple, lemongrass, dried apricots, this has the richness of the vintage but is well balanced with sage and white pepper notes, adding a touch of juice. Jean-Philippe Delmas' grandfather began managing the chateau in 1923, so 2022 marks 100 years of the Delmas family at Haut-Brion (just a few years longer than the Dillons). 38% new oak.

If you are going to pick a 2nd wine in the 2021 vintage, I strongly recommend heading to the whites. Hard to go wrong here, with its grip and pummice-stone tension, savoury white pear and mouthwatering lime zest, citrus peel, excellent quality. Has a clear intensity to it, a slate-textured finish and fleshy but pared-back pear fruits. 45% new barrels, and lower alcohols than over the past few years (as with the whole Haut-Brion range). Harvest from September 3 to 13.

This was served at the 67 Pall Mall hard hat party in July, an evening to mark the beginning of what will become their new Bordeaux club in a few years time. It was hot outside, and this was the wine that I kept going back to all evening, it was just so delicious. The has the right amount of weight through the mid palate to give impact and personality. It’s steely also, zingy minerality, with juicy peach and citrus, followed by green apple and steel. Love it.

Clear Sauvignon led nose even with the high degree of Sémillon in the blend, 2019 was a warm year but Clarté has maintained a deliciously sappy and nuanced feeling. Touch of gunsmoke reduction on the nose, with lemongrass and dill freshness. They used a little more new oak than usual (45%) but it has been eaten by the acidities, and is felt only in the texture of the wine. Pulses of smoke and minerality pulse through the palate from beginning to end. 60hl/h yield, 45% new oak.

A blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, La Clarte de Haut-Brion 2018 shows a touch of SO2, before notes of dill seed and crushed rocks, over a core of baked apples and poached pears. Medium-bodied with seamless freshness and restrained apple and mineral layers, the palate finishes a tad short.

Succulent and structured, rich and powerful, layered with yuzu, salted lemon rind, sage and steel. 40% new oak for ageing, this is a Clarté to look out for. In 2016 much of the Sémillon that usually would go in the 1st wines (drawn from both Haut-Brion Blanc and La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc vines) was used here. Exceptional quality, perfect moment to drink. One of the wines of the night, overperforming expectations and utterly knockout.

Category	White wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Ch. Haut-Brion
Vintages	2024
Country	France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Léognan
Bottle	75 cl

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Sugar	g/l

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