2014 Carmes Haut Brion

95 POINTS

Stephen Brook - Decanter

Opulent blackcurrant and black cherry nose, with admirable elegance. Lavish and concentrated, an imposing wine, with a long, spicy, intense finish refreshed by a touch of mint. It may be an atypical Graves but it has terrific length and a polish that the previous owners never quite achieved.

95 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2014 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is total knock-out. Graphite, smoke, red cherry jam, spice, cured meat, pomegranate and tobacco are just some of the myriad sensations that race out of the glass. Today, the 2014 is gloriously ample on the palate, with remarkable nuance for a wine of its size. The Carmes Haut-Brion has been terrific in two recent tastings. The blend is 54 % Cabernet Franc, 32 % Merlot and 14 % Cabernet Sauvignon, all aged in oak, but with some influence of 500-liter tonneaux and 12-hectoliter casks. Simon Blanchard is the consulting oenologist. Tasted two times.

93 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

92–94. Barrel Sample. Dusty tannins float in this impressive wine. It has dark layers of black fruits and acidity that cushion the dry, tannic character, with great freshness at the end.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

Extremely perfumed with violets, lavender and hot stones as well as fruit and dark chocolate. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and silky and fresh. A lovely and bright wine now. Better in 2020.

93 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2014 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is once again a real showstopper. One of the most unique wines in Pessac because of its high amount of Cabernet Franc, the Carmes Haut-Brion offers up a compelling mélange of dark red stone fruits, pomegranate, smoke, tobacco and licorice. The late harvest has resulted in a deep, ripe, super-concentrated wine endowed with tremendous depth. There may be a little freshness missing, but that is a small critique for a wine that delivers so much pleasure. The blend is 54% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, all aged in oak, but with some influence of 500L tonneaux and 12HL casks. Simon Blanchard is the Consulting Oenologist. Tasted two times. Points: 92-95

91 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2014 Les Carmes Haut-Brion has a concentrated bouquet with blackberry, bilberry and light brine-like aromas. There is just a touch of warmth from the alcohol that detracts from the delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, rounded and supple in the mouth with a touch of white pepper and clove towards the comparatively conservative finish. Fine. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

91 POINTS

Neal Martin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2014 Les Carmes Haut Brion has a very ripe, fig-tinged bouquet with red cherries, orange sorbet and faint tarry scents. This has more bravado than many of its Pessac-Léognan peers. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannin. It comes across as more modern in style than its peers, silky smooth with caressing succulent red cherry and blackberry fruit leading to a polished finish. It has very good body and density, though I find much more complexity on the 2015. I remarked that I wanted to see how well the oak integrates with this Les Carmes Haut-Brion and at this early stage, I wait to be totally convinced that all the constituent parts are singing from the same hymn sheet.

Jancis Robinson

Tasted blind. Bright, healthy, deep crimson. Stony nose with masses of ripe fruit. Lots of flesh and interest. Good balance and interest. Score: 17.5/20