Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2022 Pessac-Léognan

Falstaff
96/100 punten
Deep garnet, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Ripe plum fruit, fresh cherries, nuances of orange zest, inviting bouquet. Substantial, elegant and fruity, ripe tannins, fresh structure, mineral, some chocolate, lingers long. A fantastic Claret and hard to resist.

James Suckling
(94-95)/100 punten
A medium- to full-bodied red with fine and lightly chewy tannins. Lots of dark chocolate, crushed stone and graphite flavors at the end. Subtle. 

Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider)
(93-95)/100 punten
Cigar box, spice, burning herbs, black plums, and cherries create the nose. The wine is refined, silky and fresh, The fruits are ripe, sweet, lifted and have no problem expressing their essence on the mid-palate, and in the elegant finish, which delivers a plethora of spices and a touch of refreshing mints in the endnote. Enjoy this while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. 

Jeb Dunnuck
(92-94)/100 punten
The 2022 Le Clarence De Haut-Brion is mostly Merlot but includes 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and a little less than 2% Petit Verdot. It's a darker fruited, more structured second wine offering medium to full-bodied richness, a ripe, layered, textured profile, beautiful tannins, and classic notes of darker currants, cherries, smoked tobacco, and scorched earth. It's clearly an outstanding wine and has more than a hint of classic Haut-Brion style.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
(91-93)+/100 punten
The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, the second wine of Château Haut-Brion, is elaborated from a blend of 61.2% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot. It reveals a bright, fruity bouquet with aromas of dark berries, plums, tobacco, graphite and spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, textural and fleshy with structuring tannins and a fresh, tense finish. It is a very nice way to introduce the great wine of Haut-Brion.

Decanter
92/100 punten
Liquorice, blackcurrant and chocolate on the nose, smells inviting with soft perfumed touches. Sappy and wonderfully vibrant, really juicy and lively, not so plush although the tannins have shape and texture - velvety and mouth filling this really keeps a fresh and cool blue fruit touch with stoney elements. Light, almost delicate in terms of tannic expression and fruit presentation. Aerial and well balanced. Lovely clarity and poise, well worked and just feels generous and appealing. 1.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.9pH.

The Wine Independent (Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW)
(91-93)/100 punten
The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is composed of 62.1% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc, and 1.5% Petit Verdot aging in 20% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing to bring out scents of mulberries, plum preserves, and blackberry compote, plus hints of fallen leaves, Sichuan pepper, and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright and breezy, delivering crunchy black fruits and rounded tannins, finishing with impressive freshness.