2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

A medium- to full-bodied red with fine and lightly chewy tannins. Lots of dark chocolate, crushed stone and graphite flavours at the end. Subtle. 62.1% merlot, 21.9% cabernet sauvignon, 14.5% cabernet franc and 1.5% petit verdot.james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (April 2023)

Dense, plush texture, crushed roses, damson puree, orange peel, cocoa beans, baked spices, 32hl/h yields, lowest since 1991.Drink 2028 - 2040jane_anson_mw, janeanson_com (May 2023)

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, the second wine of Château Haut-Brion, is elaborated from a blend of 61.2% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot. It reveals a bright, fruity bouquet with dark berries, plums, tobacco, graphite, and spices aromas. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, textural and fleshy with structuring tannins and a fresh, tense finish. It is a very nice way to introduce the great wine of Haut-Brion.Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate (April 2023)

62.1% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.More subdued than La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion at this stage but seems to have more energy and freshness. Mouth-filling fruit on attack. Plush texture. Firm tannins but a slight powdery dryness on the finish. (JL)Drink 2030 - 2040james_lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2023)

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has a slightly higher-toned bouquet than the La Chapelle with blueberry, blackberry, iris petal and strawberry pastille aromas. Playful. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline entry and fine-boned tannins. The 2022 is poised and focused with a sophisticated finish. Superb.Drink 2027 - 2047Neil Martin, Vinous.com.com (April 2023)

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is fabulous. Rich, deep and explosive, La Clarence is everything a second wine should be. In other words, a smaller-scaled version of the original. Sumptuous dark fruit makes a strong opening statement. Complicated notes of gravel, dried herbs, crushed rose petals, and blood orange lend gorgeous savoury nuance. Impressive.Drink 2028 - 2042antonio_galloni, Vinous.com.com (April 2023)

The 2022 Le Clarence De Haut-Brion is mostly Merlot but includes 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and a little less than 2% Petit Verdot. It’s a darker-fruited, more structured second wine offering medium to full-bodied richness, a ripe, layered, textured profile, beautiful tannins, and classic notes of darker currants, cherries, smoked tobacco, and scorched earth. It’s clearly an outstanding wine with more than a hint of classic Haut-Brion style.jeb_dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (May 2023)

Liquorice, blackcurrant and chocolate on the nose smell inviting with soft perfumed touches. Sappy and wonderfully vibrant, really juicy and lively, not so plush, although the tannins have shape and texture - velvety and mouth-filling, this really keeps a fresh and cool blue fruit touch with stoney elements. Light, almost delicate in terms of tannic expression and fruit presentation. Aerial and well-balanced. Lovely clarity and poise well worked and just feels generous and appealing. 1.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.9pH.Drink 2026 - 2040Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com (April 2023)