The 2023 Les Carmes Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend is a standout wine from the Pessac Leognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France, produced by Les Carmes Haut Brion. This red wine is composed of a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot. The wine is crafted from organically grown grapes and undergoes 60% whole-berry fermentation.
James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive 99 points, describing it as "fantastic and very, very exciting" with "purity and brightness to the floral, spicy and blackberry notes." He highlights its "full and deep" body with an "agile and weightless" feel, noting that it is "more concentrated and structured than the 2022."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated it at 99 points, praising the wine's "powerful, vibrant, and complete mid-palate" with a "long, ethereal and mouthwateringly saline finish." Yohan Castaing emphasizes the wine's "beautifully refined tannins," which are "analytically, more abundant than even those of the 2022 vintage, yet they are so brilliantly integrated as to be near-imperceptible."
Vinous, giving it 96 points, notes that the 2023 vintage is "increasingly a wine of seamlessness" and "a bit shy, especially in its aromatics." Antonio Galloni mentions that the wine is expected to have a longer aging period of around 24-26 months, contributing to its reductive style.
Jane Anson, who also rated it 96 points, describes the wine as having "elderflower and peony aromatics" with a "stunning inky plum colour." She notes its "vibrant lift and drinkability" and "grippy slate texture."
Decanter awarded the wine 97 points, describing it as "extremely floral" with "black fruits, liquorice, dark fruit, cedar, and some black chocolate and coffee bitterness." The publication also mentions its "smooth and supple" texture and "seamlessly integrated" elements.
Jeff Leve, who scored it 98 points, highlights the wine's "nuances of blackberries, black cherries, flowers, blueberries, tar, herbs, and spices." He describes it as "rich, full-bodied, supple, and deep" with "intensity, purity, length, and vibrancy."
Jeb Dunnuck, giving it 97 points, notes its "vibrant aromatics of cassis and black cherries" along with "leafy tobacco, spring flowers, woodsmoke, and graphite." He appreciates its "beautiful precision and focus" and "outstanding length."
The Wine Independent also awarded it 98 points, with Lisa Perrotti-Brown describing its "opaque purple-black color" and "fabulously pure, well-defined notes of juicy black cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, ripe juicy blackberries, and licorice." She notes its "airy and refreshing" palate with a "solid backbone of very fine-grained, prancing tannins."
Overall, the 2023 Les Carmes Haut Brion Bordeaux Blend is highly praised for its exceptional structure, purity, and complexity, making it a wine to watch for in the coming years.