February 2, 2024 - A bit past its prime. I would drink now and decant for 3 plus hours.
December 9, 2023 - Nez classique, flatteur, un peu court, structure légère. Drink up.
May 18, 2022 - At Otto's Restaurant Mature Bordeaux dinner
Good colour, medium weight, good fruit, with a quite long finish. Quite fresh, there's some acidity there. Not exceptional, but very decent. No hurry to drink up.
March 24, 2022 - Some evolution in terms of colour and on the nose. Floral notes, tobacco, spices, pencil shavings, crushed stones. Very expressive and attractive. On the palate soft red fruit, unobtrusive tannins. Good acidity and balance, decent length. Not overly complex but in a really good spot right now. Drink (or keep). 91-93
March 24, 2022 - At the Wine Society Carmes Haut-Brion tutored tasting. This wine dates from before the current ownership, change in cepage and dramatic increase in quality, yet the price seems to reflect the more recent wines! 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Alc. 13.5%. Farmyard nose; merlot softness on the palate yet too tannic for the fruit. Short finish. Deteriorated in the glass quite quickly. Drink up (or sell!) if you have some.
March 24, 2022 - TWS - Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion Tasting (Vintner's Hall, London): Deep garnet, classic Graves nose, smoke, dark fruit, spice, mineral. Medium bodied, dark fruited, leather notes, smoke, attractive freshness, some unresolved tannin on end, soil notes. Excellent even if a touch rustic in comparison to more recent vintages
January 26, 2021 - Just amazing and still drinking well! Pop the cork and get after it...time is running out.
December 24, 2020 - We have tried 2 bottles at X-Mas Eve and both were clearly too aged.
So don't be disappointed if this is the case. We should have drank them some years ago...
November 16, 2019 - sharp tanins
September 29, 2018 - Medium purple- ruby, big time bic pen, ink, leather, animal, clove, fennel, on the palate a bit restrained and metallic first opens up beautifully in 1h with pronounced flavors of plums, spices, great balance of acidity and tannins. Drinking amazing now