Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2020

The signature of a fine red wine from Pessac-Leognan

The estate

Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion, a large property in Pessac-Leognan, is located on the left bank of Bordeaux. Founded in the 16th century, this estate today delivers an expression of its terroir through the work of its visionary owner and the craftsmen working in the winery. Acquired in 2010 by the Pichet real estate group, Chateau Les Carmes-Haut-Brion is today one of the most distinguished wines of the Pessac-Leognan appellation.

The vineyard

The nearly 40-year-old vines are planted on 30.75 hectares of vineyards. Only 7.60 are used for the production of the First Wine of Les Carmes Haut-Brion. This vineyard is planted in Mindel gravel on a clay-limestone base.

The vintage

The particularly rainy winter preceded a tropical spring, favorable for the development of the vines, but which, combined with historic rainfall, required plenty of work in the vineyard. The month of June, the coolest recorded in the last five years, slowed the phenological advance of the previous months without affecting the flowering. While the summer was particularly dry, the water reserves were sufficient and the rather balmy nights, especially in August, created ideal conditions to refine the maturity of the fruit until in time for the harvest.

Vinification and aging

Harvested manually, the grapes were vinified in tapered stainless steel vats, concrete vats and oak vats. No crushing. 35 days vatting. Aging lasted 24 months in new barrels (80%), casks (11%) and earthenware vessels (9%).

The blend

The 2020 Chateau Les Carmes-Haut-Brion is made from a blend of Cabernet Franc (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Merlot (26%).