The second wine, the 2009 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, is almost as large a cuvee as the grand vin. This 7,000-case cuvee is a blend of 46% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest small quantities of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Once again the burning ember/scorched earth characteristic that often comes from Haut-Brion is found in the second wine, along with more kirsch and cassis, fewer nuances and less complexity than its bigger sibling. The wine is full-bodied with the minerality offered by this terroir as well as plenty of sweet tannins. This is the finest second wine Haut-Brion has produced since the astonishing 1989 Bahans-Haut-Brion. Enjoy it over the next two decades.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #199, Feb 2012)

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Clarence de Haut Brion ‘09 has a much more timid bouquet with light blackberry and briary fruit, touches of sous-bois and liquorice developing with aeration. The palate is full-bodied with a firm grip. Bold and brassy but still very well balanced with a fresh inviting finish. This is showing better than 12 months ago. Tasted January 2013.

– eRobertParker.com, Jul 2013

[46M/39CS/13CF/2PV] Dense and 'fat' to smell, with a pronounced mineral element; a rich, powerful, tannic wine; an immediate mass in the mouth with a very juicy blackcurrant character to the fruit; rich, warm, tannic, but finely so; warm, powerful fruit, something slightly southern hemisphere about this in character; long in the mouth, even, spicy fruit, fleshy ample, powerful and very long and slightly 'warm' to finish, with a touch of bitterness. One wouldn't guess this was a 'second' wine! Impressive Clarence. Certainly the opposite end of spectrum in power and style from the more aromatic complexity and restraint of the 2008's. It will benefit from time. 10 years minimum? 2020-30+