Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2021

A refined and rich Graves second wine

The estate

The oldest of the Bordeaux First Classified Growths, Château Haut-Brion boasts a rich legacy built over five centuries of history. Founded in 1533 by Jean de Pontac in the Graves region, the wines of Château Haut-Brion were soon coveted and appreciated by the greatest monarchs of Europe. In 1663, Samuel Pepys, a member of the English Parliament, participated - without knowing it - in the success of Château Haut-Brion, by writing in his diary, "And there, I drank a kind of French wine called Ho-Bryan which had a very particular taste, one I’ve never experienced before... ". And the legend was born. The only First Classified Growth of 1855 not situated in the Médoc and also recognised as a Classified Growth in the Official Wine Classification of the Graves in 1959, Château Haut-Brion continues to contribute to the legendary story of Bordeaux fine wines through vintage after vintage of exceptional wines. The second wine of the Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Haut-Brion, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion follows in the footsteps of its elder brother. Bringing together all the qualities of a fine wine, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is more accessible in its youth.

The vineyard

A benchmark among the finest Pessac-Léognan wines and located in the heart of the Pessac area, Château Haut-Brion enjoys an exceptional terroir and rests on soils composed of multicoloured gravel, the source of sumptuous, elegant and precise wines that are incredibly consistent from one vintage to the next.

The vintage

The mild winter favoured the early budding of the vines on March 1st. The spring frost in April spared the vast majority of the plots. The vineyard was barely affected by the heavy rainfall in May and June, thanks to its particularly well-draining clay-limestone soil. The cool and humid conditions during the summer led to slow growth in the vineyard. The teams’ rigour and hard work enabled them to preserve the vineyard’s healthy condition. The hot, dry climate and cool nights from the beginning of August were ideal conditions for refining the ripeness and aromatic palette of the berries until the harvest. The ripeness and freshness of the grapes produced a vintage reminiscent of the classic Bordeaux wines from the 1990s.

Vinification and ageing

Aged in barrels (28% new).

The blend

Merlot (70.4%)

Cabernet sauvignon (18.2%)

Cabernet franc (11.4%).

Clarence de Haut-Brion 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

Bright, with a beautiful ruby colour.

Nose

Dense, the nose opens with fruity fragrances. When swirled, it releases a beautiful aromatic complexity, with notes of blackberry and raspberry.

Palate

A delicious attack precedes an ample mouth that exudes aromas of red fruit jelly.