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Clarence Haut Brion (2nd wine of Haut Brion) 2017

Pessac-Leognan, Second wine

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Units Size Case size GBP Price: Quantities Buy
6 75cl Bottle Case 6 £470 per Case Case [Add to shopping basket]
60 75cl Bottle Case 6 £520 per Case Cases [Add to shopping basket]
Tasting Notes

The 2017 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a pretty wine, but it also remains a bit lacking in both depth and overall structure. In many vintages, Clarence can be a sort of mini Haut-Brion, but the 2017 is decidedly light. Sweet floral, spice and tobacco notes open up nicely, but there is no getting past the wine's rather modest depth and compact finish.

Score: 88

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2020-2027 01 March 2020

The 2017 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has a little more ripeness on the nose compared to the Chapelle de la Mission: summer red fruit, orange zest and light tertiary scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. Fleshy and approachable, this is a wine that can be broached when young. Easy going but surprisingly long on the finish. Very fine.

Score: 90

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2032 01 February 2020

The 2017 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a blend of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.3% Cabernet Franc and 1.7% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with aromas of red and black plums, black cherries and cinnamon over dried herbs, underbrush and tobacco nuances. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, with lovely red fruit and an herbal lift on the finish.

Score: 89 - 91

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 27 April 2018

Deep cherry red. Smells sweeter and darker-fruited than the Chapelle de la Mission just tasted. Gentle dark fruit and light spice. Subtle but fruity on the nose. Firmer and more graphite-scented on the palate but with impressive fruit depth and generosity within a dry, fine-boned tannic structure. Fresh but not strident. Finely balanced and lovely persistence.

Score: 17

Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2024-2033 25 April 2018

Leading off the two reds, the 2017 Le Clarence de Haut Brion is a bigger, rich wine compared to its La Mission Haut Brion counterpart. In 2017 it’s a blend of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all harvested between August 31 and September 29. Lots of cold fireplace, black fruits, and smoked earth notes emerge from the glass. It’s medium-bodied, has crunchy, vibrant fruit, building structure and plenty of length. It’s one of the few second wines that’s going to need short-term cellaring. (90-92+)

Score: 90 - 92

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 23 April 2018

A fresh and bright red with currant, walnut and wet-earth character. Medium to full body, tight tannins and a fresh finish. Second wine of Haut-Brion is focused.

Score: 93 - 94

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 06 April 2018

The 2017 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (second wine) is fuller in feel, with more plum, cassis and cherry preserve flavors, along with a fleshier feel than the La Chapelle. Light tar, red licorice and apple wood notes fill in while grip blossoms on the finish with a pleasantly chewy feel.

Score: -

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 04 April 2018

The aromatics on the nose are a little subdued at first, but on the palate there is clear density to the fruit, showing great depth and energy. It's a beautiful wine, perhaps a fraction below the ripeness of 2016 and 2015 - the amount of sunshine in July was almost half the average, even though it was extremely dry - but is still generous once it opens up. With no frost, this was an early season all the way through, staying two weeks in advance of average from start to finish. 37% of overall production in this wine.

Score: 92

Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2023-2036 01 April 2018