2020 La Clarte de Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognan)

Powerfully rich with excellent weight through the mid palate. Silky in texture, seductive but balanced by an enjoyable touch of green apple and steel through the close of play. Harvest from 19th to 28th August. 92 points

The 2020 La Clarte de Haut-Brion has a light nose of apple orchard, freshly sliced pear and light crushed rock scents, although I would have liked to see more intensity. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, and quite saline, displaying a welcome touch of bitter lemon toward the finish. This should give a decade of drinking pleasure. 89-91 points

The 2020 La Clarte de Haut-Brion is a blend of 74.8% Semillon and 25.2% Sauvignon Blanc, harvested from 19th to 28th August, with an estimated alcohol of 13.4%. It opens with intense notes of fresh pineapple, white peaches and lemon curd with suggestions of honeysuckle, paraffin wax and chalk dust. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers bags of juicy peaches and citrus flavors, accented by tropical fruit opulence and supported with refreshing acidity, finishing with a spicy kick. La Clarte de Haut-Brion is the second wine of both Haut-Brion Blanc and La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, produced from the declassified selections from both estates. 90-92 points

Very dense and limpid and immediately offering so much more than the other dry whites from this appellation. Smoky minerality and an amazing floral freshness. White blossom? Then it`s surprisingly lightweight on the palate (after that dense nose). This really races along. Sort of like a Victorian child with a hoop, to venture in to Tam territory. Already lots of fun to drink, with low astringency and good fruit/acid balance. Though not especially persistent. 16.5+ points

Pale, cloudy; slightly reduced and fairly closed; full and supple; dry, broad, and very Semillon in style, guava and melon core-flavor, pure, with a nice concentration, good length across t he palate, if not the vitality and “race” of a vintage like the 2017 or 2014, for example, and with nice aromatic persistence. You do taste the vintage here, at least in this locale and with these winemaking choices. It’s good, and it is nicely balanced, but it lacks a bit of tension and drive. To drink relatively young. Drink 2023–30. 90–92 points