2020 Clarence de Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognan)

Concentrated spice notes, seductive texture of slate and satin, with aromatics of incense, rosemary, cut herbs. These are big tannins that are fully ripe, cradling the blackberry fruit and christmas pudding spice. A serious wine but one with a smile on its face. 93 points

The 2020 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is quite flamboyant on the nose with black plum, boysenberry and sous-bois scents, just a touch of pitted black olive. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy, with more weight and amplitude compared to the La Chapelle and with a lovely savory/Provencal herb tincture towards the finish. This is a lovely Deuxieme Vin. 91 points

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Lots of pure dark fruit and just slightly charry/spiced by the oak. Plush, fresh and polished, really smooth even though there is power underlying the fruit. 16.5+ points the integrity of the fruit that is so impressive. 17+ points

Ripe blackberry Merlot to smell; full, moderately concentrated, firmly but finely tannic; a refined and relatively delicate core of fruit here, sweet and fresh, with the alcohol presence distracting a bit from its finesse, but behind that, this is long and graceful, with excellent sweet fruit persistence. The somewhat `dryhard` tannin texture distracts a bit, which it would not do at 13.5% ABV, for example. A refined, freshly sweet, graceful wine, successful in the style, if not so obviously Pessac-Léognan in origin any more. Drink 2028–38+. 92–93 points