2010 Le Clarence de Haut Brion
By Chateau Haut Brion
2010 Le Clarence de Haut Brion from Chateau Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux
The revered 2010 vintage stands as a luminary moment for Bordeaux enthusiasts, encapsulating a season that offered near-idyllic conditions, translating to a portfolio of wines possessing impressive depth and longevity. In this constellation of extraordinary creations, the 2010 Le Clarence de Haut Brion from Chateau Haut Brion presents itself with a dignity that aligns seamlessly with the estate's storied reputation.
An Embodiment of Elegance and Poise
The 2010 vintage in Pessac-Leognan is marked by its consistent balance of opulent fruit and poised acidity, elements that are harmoniously intertwined in Le Clarence de Haut Brion. The meticulous selection of grapes, hailing from the very parcels that compose the haloed grand vin, imparts this vintage with an aristocratic finesse.
Belying its status as the second wine of Chateau Haut Brion, the 2010 release captivates with a profound bouquet laden with notes of ripe berries and an earthy undertone that speaks of its noble terroir. This is augmented by a savoury complexity that unveils subtle hints of truffle and cigar box, testifying to a meticulous élevage.
Investment Potential: A Wine with Prominence
A discerning addition to any investment portfolio, the 2010 Le Clarence de Haut Brion reflects its exceptional vintage through a formidable structure that promises graceful maturation. The tannins are silky yet assertive, foretelling of a wine that has begun to unfurl its layers but will continue to evolve, rewarding patience admirably.
For investors seeking wines with both critical acclaim and promising appreciation potential, the finesse and pedigree of the 2010 Le Clarence de Haut Brion from Chateau Haut Brion make for an astute acquisition, epitomising the virtues of one of Bordeaux's most venerated estates.
Concluding Notes
In summary, the 2010 Le Clarence de Haut Brion inhabits a special place within the annals of fine Bordeaux vintages. With each glass poured promising a journey through refined elegance and sumptuous complexity, it is indeed an enlightened choice for connoisseurs and investors alike. This is a wine that echoes the whispers of an outstanding vintage, setting it apart as one of enduring distinction amongst its peers.
Current market price
$2,003.16
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
85.71
Scores and tasting notes
Quite jammy on the nose with lots of fruit. Plums, berries and jam. Full body, with a fluid center palate and chewy tannins. Round and rich. Seems more upfront and friendly than the second wine of La Mission. 52% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Better in 2018.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, February 18th 2013
The second wine of Haut-Brion is now called Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, and the 2010 is among the finest I have tasted there. It is a broad, powerful and more muscular wine than its cross-street rival, La Chapelle de la Mission, but all the same, it is wonderfully fresh and precise, with notes of blueberry and boysenberry as well as hints of smoke and wet stones. Endowed with gorgeous fruit, texture, purity and elegance, this relatively dense second wine demonstrates how draconian the selection process has become for the top estates in Bordeaux in recent years. The blend of this wine is 52% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc with just a touch of Petit Verdot. I would expect it to last at least 20 years, which is remarkable. Kudos to the team at Haut-Brion and to the proprietors, the Dillon family, who are now represented admirably and meticulously by Prince Robert of Luxembourg. He has made some changes, and all of them seem to have resulted in dramatic improvements to what was already an astonishing group of wines.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 27 February 2013
Tasted at Chateau Haut-Brion. I must say that comparing this against the La Chapelle, I find the latter more expressive at the moment, the Le Clarence perhaps riper and a tad more generous, yet without quite the same degree of clarity. The palate is medium-bodied with a ripe, cedar and tobacco infused entry. There is more weight and fruit intensity than the La Chapelle and builds nicely towards an iodine, dark plum and slightly saline finish. I was perhaps expecting a little more after its showing in barrel. Tasted November 2012.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Mar 2013