CHÂTEAU LES CARMES HAUT-BRION 2021 Vintage

CHÂTEAU LES CARMES HAUT-BRION 2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR

2

The Philippe Starck winery. Photo Credit: Julie Rey

3

CHÂTEAU LES CARMES HAUT-BRION

4

The original château, which still graces the label. Photo Credit: Julie Rey

|

2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR

To find out more about Corney & Barrow visit www.corneyandbarrow.com

|

INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT SINCE 1780

NEW BEGINNINGS After a long association with this star of Pessac-Léognan, we are thrilled to have been entrusted with a special release of the 2021 vintage.

Entering through the gates of Les Carmes Haut-Brion, where the city of Bordeaux begins to cede to the countryside, green lawns stretch towards a picturesque lake. But hang on, what’s this futuristic battleship, apparently moored in the middle of all this suburban salubriousness?

It’s a winery. And not just any chai or shed. It’s a Philippe Starck-designed winery, opened in 2016 and clearly intended to disrupt the landscape in the same way the wine has been shaking up Bordeaux.

Once part of neighbouring Château Haut-Brion, the estate dates to the sixteenth century and the Grand Carmelite Order of monks, who tended the vines until the French Revolution.

Its immense potential is arguably only now being realised, following the 2010 acquisition by Patrice Pichet, founder of the eponymous French property group.

The impressive combination of Director Guillaume Pouthier and consultant winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt is complemented by a first-rate team including commercial manager Alice Leuret. This is innovative, forward-looking Bordeaux at its best – watch this space!

GUY SEDDON Fine Wine Buyer June 2022

5

CHÂTEAU LES CARMES HAUT-BRION

|

2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR

THE 2021 VINTAGE ...in the words of Guillaume Pouthier, Director, Les Carmes Haut-Brion This was a year… of incredible intensity! A year requiring the skills of a tightrope walker, when nature played games with the winegrowers. Solid in their vision of the place, present at all times, without respite, they played, shivered, imagined and ensured a commitment to the vine at all times. Passionate.

Certain that this enthusiasm and these choices would be felt in the wines!

6

The harvest began and the grapes showed all the richness of successful ripening, achieved slowly in cold conditions. The Cabernets excelled in performing their major role; character, juice, slender tannins.

Here, the enclosed vineyard of Carmes and its micro-climate were an opportunity to be seized. An unprecedented harvest with sorting in both the vineyard and the cellar. The Cabernet Franc provides the blend with an introduction and a broad aromatic palette, which then takes the form of a wave, a juicy, breaking mass.

Guillaume Pouthier.

Photo Credit: Phil-Labeguerie

To find out more about Corney & Barrow visit www.corneyandbarrow.com

|

INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT SINCE 1780

THE VINEYARDS IN NUMBERS: Harvest dates: 23rd September to 1st October 2021 --Whole bunches: 45% --Blend: 40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot --Alcohol 13.5% abv --Ageing: 70% new barrels, 20% new 18hl foudres, 10% amphoras

7

CHÂTEAU LES CARMES HAUT-BRION

8

|

2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR

To find out more about Corney & Barrow visit www.corneyandbarrow.com

|

INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT SINCE 1780

TASTING NOTE LES CARMES HAUT-BRION 2021 40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot. Plushly dark-berried, cedary aromas, with fresh mint and dried herb spices. The palate is ingratiatingly supple on the attack, herbal and playful, with bitter cherries, finding a chalky-mineral texture on the midpalate. Medium bodied and approachable, very deft, very impressive. 45% whole bunch fermentation. 70% new oak. 20% aged in new 18hl foudres, 10% in amphorae.

Cropped at 40hl/ha. 13.5% abv.

Corney & Barrow Score 18 Recommended drinking from 2026 - 2040 £245/case of 3 bottles, in bond UK £166/case of 1 magnum, in bond UK £380/case of 1 double magnum, in bond UK

Tasting Guide Our tasting notes provide full details but, at your request, we have also introduced a clear and simple marking system. We hope these guidelines assist you in your selection. For the benefit of simplicity, wines are scored out of 20. We will often use a range of scores (e.g. 16.5 to 17) to indicate the potential to achieve a higher mark. When a ‘+’ is shown it adds further to that potential. Wines from lesser vintages will, inevitably, show a lower overall score.

Wines are judged, in a very broad sense, against their peers.

Why? Well, you cannot easily compare a Ford with an Aston Martin, other than they are both cars and have wheels. It is not that different with wine. A score is a summary only. The devil is in the detail, so please focus on the tasting notes and, as always, speak to our sales team.

9

CHÂTEAU LES CARMES HAUT-BRION

|

2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR

10

To Order LONDON

020 7265 2430 EDINBURGH

01875 321 921 EMAIL

sales@corneyandbarrow.com PLEASE NOTE These wines are released en primeur. Delivery dates to be confirmed. All prices are quoted in bond UK.

To find out more about Corney & Barrow visit www.corneyandbarrow.com

|

INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT SINCE 1780

CONTACT US We have offices in England, Scotland, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Please see below for details.

Our Locations LONDON 1 Thomas More Street London E1W 1YZ T +44 (0)20 7265 2400 F +44 (0)20 7265 2444 sales@corneyandbarrow.com

NORTH OF ENGLAND Sedbury Stables Sedbury Hall, Richmond North Yorkshire DL10 5LQ T +44 (0)1748 828 640 F +44 (0)1748 821 928 sedburyorders@corneyandbarrow.com

HONG KONG Unit D, 6th Floor 9 Queen’s Road Central Hong Kong T +852 25 37 33 25 hongkong@corneyandbarrow.com

EAST ANGLIA Belvoir House High Street, Newmarket Suffolk CB8 8DH T +44 (0)1638 600 000 F +44 (0)1638 600 860 newmarket@corneyandbarrow.com

EDINBURGH Oxenfoord Castle by Pathhead Midlothian Scotland EH37 5UB T +44 (0)1875 321 921 F +44 (0)1875 321 922 edinburgh@corneyandbarrow.com

SINGAPORE 101 Cecil Street, #16-07 Tong Eng Building, Singapore, 069533 T +65 6221 8530 singapore@corneyandbarrow.com

AYR 8 Academy Street, Ayr Ayrshire, Scotland KA7 1HT T +44 (0)1292 267 000 F +44 (0)1292 265 903 ayr@corneyandbarrow.com

Online

FACEBOOK @corneyandbarrow

TWITTER @corneyandbarrow

www.corneyandbarrow.com

INSTAGRAM @corneyandbarrow

11

www.corneyandbarrow.com