100 pt. Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2018 & 2020!

Why Buy: If Les Carmes Haut-Brion, the hottest name in Bordeaux right now, isn’t already an obsession of yours, it’s about to become one: 5 incredible, powerfully-built wines — including two 100-pointers, a 99-pointer, and a 98-pointer from the estate’s staggering run of successes from 2014-2021.

What They're Saying: Jeb Dunnuck's enthusiasm leaps off the page in his perfect 100-point scores for the 2020 and 2018 vintages. The 2020 he declares "a total stunner ... ravishing ... will take your breath away," while the 2018 emerges as "a rock star of a wine," "magical, seamless, singular," showcasing "thrilling bouquet," "supple tannins," and an "endearing, layered, multi-dimensional texture." His 99-point review of the 2016 positions Les Carmes Haut-Brion as "the next superstar in Bordeaux," praising its "flawless integration" and "blockbuster finish." The 2019 (98 points) exemplifies "that rare mix of power and elegance that truly great Pessac can deliver," while the 2021 C des Carmes — the estate’s excellent “second wine” — earns 94 points from James Suckling for being "so vibrant and agile on the palate" with its "silky" finish.

Our Tasting Notes: The first thing that will strike you about these wines is their assurance and aplomb. The 2020 and 2018 share an architectural precision, a kind of stately majesty, but there's great joy in these bottles. The 2016 shows why Pessac-Léognan has captivated wine lovers for centuries; it's a wine that keeps revealing new facets with each return to the glass. The 2019 might be the most complete of them all -- everything in perfect proportion, nothing out of place. And don't overlook the C des Carmes 2021: it offers a wonderful preview of the estate's style at a fraction of the price, with all the verve and clarity that make its grand vin siblings so compelling.

The Story: In 2010, Patrice Pichet, a real estate mogul and wine enthusiast, purchased this Left Bank property and immediately set it on a more ambitious course. That change of direction has been more than borne out in the great leap forward in the winemaking. Together with winemaker Guillaume Pouthier, whose work in Rhône had garnered wide renown, 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. The terroir of Bordeaux, made up of Gunz gravel, sand, and clay, is inarguably vital to the consistently high quality of the final product, but so is Pouthier's insistence on allowing stems into the winemaking. The practice is often frowned upon in Bordeaux, but it is common in Rhône, where Pouthier made his reputation. The results have been dramatic. Critics and connoisseurs have remarked at length upon the greater depth and concentration to be found in the glass. Meanwhile, the wines have lost none of their freshness or elegance. This combination of power and charm is irresistible, and, as you well know, increasingly rare.

What to Pair Them With: These 5 shine brightest when they command center stage, but they’ll also transform a well-prepared meal of roast duck or goose, or a standing rib roast, into an occasion.

Fun Fact: The estate's striking winery, designed by Starck and opened in 2016, appears to float above the vineyard's historic water source — a subtle homage to the property's heritage, while also looking toward its future.

Our Guarantee: Remember, friends – we always buy direct and we only source direct, so you can rest assured that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance.