2013 Les Carmes Haut Brion

The 2013 Les Carmes Haut-Brion was matured with just under 40% whole bunches and 20% vinified via infusion for one or two vats. This has a well-defined nose, simple compared to the 2012, and a little more tertiary in style. Red fruit bubble up with aeration - cranberry and Tayberry. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly harder tannins than the 2012. This has a firm grip and is strict, linear and weighty for the vintage, though undeniably missing flair and complexity on the slightly dour finish. It's a very decent effort in a tricky vintage, though I would drink bottles over the next six to eight years. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château.

59% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon. 40% whole-bunch vinification. Aged 24 months in new oak barrel (90%) and amphora (10%) Incredibly dense purple-black core. Lighter at the rim. Dark-fruit notes but generally less expressive than 2011 or 2012. Generous fruit on the palate with a bitter note that heightens the freshness. Grainy tannins through and through. Juicy and drinkable. Fine effort for the vintage. (JL)

Soft raspberry and smoked earth notes on the nose, this has a lilting freshness but doesn't build momentum through the palate. Give it time to work its charms, as there is an attractive slate texture to the tannins, and a juicy salinity on the close of play. They have done a great job within the vintage, but there is just not the depth or intensity of fruit to really carry this forward longterm - drink now and over the next five to 8 years to make the most of these raspberry and blueberry fruits. 30% new oak, 30% whole bunch fermentation, amphora introduced as of this vintage for a small amount of the ageing.