C DES CARMES HAUT-BRION
BORDEAUX, FRANCE 2023
THE HEADLINE: A 100-pt. estate’s brilliance, without the 100-pt. price.
WHY BUY: $45 for a 95-point second wine, from the same legendary 2023 vintage that produced Les Carmes Haut-Brion’s 98-pt. grand vin, and crafted by the same superlative team. And unlike most second wines, Le ‘C’ des Carmes comes from its own dedicated vineyard. (And if you do feel like splurging: the 2020 grand vin is an insta-classic, the kind of wine collectors dream of getting their hands on.)
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: Wine Enthusiast’s 95-point review of the 2023 Le ‘C’ des Carmes heaps praise upon a Cabernet-driven wine that “shows both structure and fragrant rich black currants,” and that is “full of juice” with “generous tannins that keep the structure rounded.”
OUR TASTING NOTES: What is absolutely unmistakable about Le ‘C des Carmes 2023, and from the first time you bring your nose the glass, is just how easy this wine is to love. The aromatics are truly transportive, taking you from whispers of dark plum and mulberry to cigar smoke and cedar, and culminating in a resonant note of warmed gravel. The palate is just as complex. It's plush and supple, with a satiny texture that slides, gloriously, across the palate. The whole clusters add a wonderfully sappy little crunch, which is in part what gives the wine its edge and definition. No decanter required, and you also won’t have to wait a decade to ease the cork out. Pour it with a thick and juicy steak, or even with nothing at all, and watch it disappear a whole lot faster than you intended.
THE STORY: The latest chapter of this historic Left Bank estate began in 2010, when Patrice Pichet, a real estate mogul and wine enthusiast, purchased the property and immediately set it on a more ambitious course. Together with winemaker Guillaume Pouthier, whose work in Rhône had won him a great reputation, Pichet tripled the size of the vineyards from 10 hectares to 30 and commissioned Philippe Starck to design the winemaking facility. In every other respect, however, the aim has been to downsize, and to return to the methods of old. Harvesting is done only by hand, horses are gradually phasing out tractors, and pumpovers are not permitted. Pouthier’s insistence on allowing stems into the winemaking — often frowned upon in Bordeaux but common in Rhône — has been transformative. The results speak for themselves: greater depth and concentration without sacrificing freshness or elegance. This combination of power and charm is irresistible, and increasingly rare.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH: In our estimation, these powerful and precise wines need no company at all, but they’ll make great matches nonetheless with a roast duck or goose, a standing rib roast, or a board of ripe, aged cheeses.
FUN FACT: Of all the estates that make their home in Bordeaux, Les Carmes is the only one that exists inside city limits.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate to ensure that your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your bottles and cases today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2026 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2027). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, OK & TN. This offer will expire on Thursday, October 29th, 2026.