Wonderful aromas of honeysuckle, light apricot and citrus with hints of lemon curd and pie crust. It’s full-bodied, tight and composed with density and agility that make it unique for a white. Fantastic persistence. Try after 2024, but already a joy to taste and drink.

- James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (February 2021)

Lots of honeyed citrus, salty mineral, white flowers, and a kiss of white grapefruit all emerge from the 2018 La Clarte De Haut-Brion Blanc, a medium-bodied, elegant, beautifully balanced white that has an approachable, layered style. It should keep for a decade, probably longer, although there's no need to delay gratification too much.

- Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (March 2021)

The 2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion is absolutely gorgeous. Bright, aromatic and so expressive, the Clarté hits all the right notes. Lemon confit, sage, dried herbs, mint and flowers grace this taut, finely-knit dry white. The 2018 is both supple but nervy, a balance that works so well in this vintage. In a word: terrific. Drinking Window 2021 - 2028.

- Antonio Galloni, Vinous (March 2021)

La Clarté 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. The 2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion is a blend of 79.2% Sémillon and 20.8% Sauvignon Blanc. It springs from the glass with vibrant scents of fresh grapefruit, lemon zest and key lime pie, plus suggestions of paraffin wax, sea spray and straw. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers thirst-quenching citrusy layers with a lively backbone and a decadent touch of creaminess to the texture, finishing with lovely purity. Drink Date: 2021 - 2028.

- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate (March 2021)

La Clarté 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. The 2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion is a blend of 79.2% Sémillon and 20.8% Sauvignon Blanc. It springs from the glass with vibrant scents of fresh grapefruit, lemon zest and key lime pie, plus suggestions of paraffin wax, sea spray and straw. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers thirst-quenching citrusy layers with a lively backbone and a decadent touch of creaminess to the texture, finishing with lovely purity.

The 2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion, picked 27 August to 5 September, has a tight, backward, candle wax and brioche scented bouquet that needs some coaxing. The palate is well balanced with a slightly viscous opening. There is a pleasant saline note on the back palate although for me, it does not deliver the same precision as the previous vintage on the finish. Maybe that will develop with time?

Diam closure. 80% Sémillon. Mixture of creaminess and something green – gooseberry fool?! Light, sweet start and something just a little hesitant. Definite sweetness with a bit of grip on the end. (JR)

20.8% Sauvignon Blanc, 79.2% Sémillon. Lots of Sémillon this year, partly because they needed Sauvignon’s freshness in the grand vin. Barrel sample. Spicy, cedary oak on the nose and very ripe lemon and grapefruit, almost apricot. Deep and ripe in fruit up front, good freshness. Precise and yet quite rich on the palate initially, a little bit chewy, but loses intensity on the finish. Creamy, leesy texture to balance the fruit. (JH)