The 2018 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion is blended of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. It includes 25% whole cluster, has 13.6% alcohol and is anticipated to age 18-24 months in barriques, 30% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is a little reduced to begin, opening out to pretty notions of roses, cinnamon stick and black pepper over a core of Black Forest cake, licorice, tar, warm cassis and chargrill. Medium-bodied, the palate is tightly wound with firm, ripe, chunky tannins and lovely freshness with saline and mineral sparks coming through on the long, vibrant finish.

By Lisa Perrotti-Brown April 2019