Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2025

Characteristics and tasting notes of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2025

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a deep, dark ruby-garnet hue, enhanced by purplish reflections. Clear and bright, it displays a beautiful viscosity in the glass and a slightly lighter rim, reflecting its youth and concentration.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet proves complex and remarkably pure. It opens on intense aromas of ripe blackberry, harmoniously combined with floral and earthy notes. With aeration, smoky, iodised nuances and hints of squid ink emerge, complemented by spicy touches reminiscent of cardamom and sandalwood.

Palate
The attack is ample, round and vibrant. The texture is remarkably velvety, supported by tannins that are present yet perfectly contained and of great finesse. The whole, both dense and fresh, reveals a subtle hint of rosewater, leading to a harmonious and radiant finish.

Serving and cellaring

Endowed with remarkable balance and a beautiful structure, this vintage boasts exceptional ageing potential. It will evolve gracefully in the cellar for 20 to 30 years, or even longer.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 13% and a pH of 3.59.

The elegance of a great Pessac-Léognan wine by Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

The estate

Founded in 1584 by monks, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a historic estate in Bordeaux. Acquired in late 2010 by Patrice Pichet, it has undergone a true renaissance thanks to modernised facilities, including a cellar designed by Philippe Starck. Now led by Guillaume Pouthier, this vineyard has the unique distinction of being entirely enclosed within the city. This exceptional urban setting and its atypical grape varieties make it an essential and singular name on the Left Bank, brilliantly combining tradition and innovation.

The vineyard

The only wine estate located within the city walls, this vineyard benefits from a unique urban microclimate within the Pessac-Léognan appellation. The vines thrive on Mindel gravel soils overlying a clay-limestone subsoil. Planted at a high density of 10,000 vines per hectare, the estate favours sustainable practices, promoting biodiversity and water management. The harvest is carried out exclusively by hand, with meticulous plot-by-plot management.

The vintage

2025 was marked by a winter providing sufficient rainfall, followed by a mild spring with regular rains until mid-May. Early summer saw a significant water deficit set in for nearly 90 days, slowing photosynthesis and resulting in smaller berries. Fortunately, a welcome rainy spell in September restored momentum, providing favourable conditions for a smooth harvest throughout the month.

Winemaking and ageing

Winemaking relies on the infusion technique, favouring gentle extraction to preserve freshness and structure. Fermentation incorporates 65% whole bunches. Ageing then takes place in a carefully selected range of vessels with light to medium toasting: 70% new barrels, 19% 18-hl casks and 11% terracotta amphorae, in order to preserve the wine's vibrancy and sap. Alcohol: 13%.

Grape varieties

Cabernet Franc (54%), Cabernet Sauvignon (29%), Merlot (17%).