The 2016 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is another second wine that tastes more like a grand vin. Made from 51.3% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it too is deeply colored and has a classic Haut Brion bouquet of minerals, crushed rocks, cassis, graphite, and violet. With medium to full-bodied richness, good concentration, building tannins, and impeccable balance, it’s more supple and sexy that it’s big brother yet still has the balance, structure, and depth to keep for two decades. It’s a stunning wine in its own right. - jebdunnuck.com, February 2019

Formerly labelled as Bahans Haut Brion, this is the second wine of the legendary Haut Brion. Deep, earthy mineral - could be Haut Brion in an older year! - so distinctive, musky and perfumed. Really fine tannins, sweet and plump yet precise and with focus and purity. Long and really impressive. - April 2017

This is powerful and intense with lots of minerals, crushed stones and dark fruit. Dense and linear. Minerally and very energetic. - March 2017

The 2016 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is an absolutely gorgeous, vivid wine endowed with tremendous aromatic intensity and stunning beauty. Gravel, tobacco, smoke and dark fruit all open up in the glass, but it is the wine's total sense of allure that is most captivating. The Clarence seems to have firmed up a bit following its bottling in June, but that is not at all a bad thing. Today, it is memorable. There is not much more I can add. - vinous.com, January 2019

The spicy notes are clear on the nose, this feels young and subdued yet full of life. It is more sombre in its fruit expression than La Chapelle, the tannic structure holding on tightly to the fruit, but after a minute in the glass the juice comes to the fore – this clearly has great life ahead of it. 2.6% Petit Verdot completes the blend. - decanter.com, Jane Anson, December 2018

Blended of 51.3% Merlot, 13.1% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2.6% Petit Verdot, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion features beautiful rose hip tea, fallen leaves and black olives scents over a core of redcurrant jelly, cassis and pencil shavings plus touches of menthol and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, the palate is finely crafted with delicate red and black fruits laced with loads of earthy accents, framed by grainy tannins and finishing on a lingering mineral note. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, November 2018

The 2016 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a blend of 51.3% Merlot, 13.1% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2.6% Petit Verdot. It has a little more fruité compared to the La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion, yet not quite the same mineral tension or complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple black fruit, a fine line of acidity and gentle grip, but I would be seeking a little more personality and depth towards the finish. That said, it does have commendable freshness, but my money would be on the La Chapelle this year.

Dark crimson. Intense nose that's very Haut-Brion. Fine, restrained and just a bit low key. But very classy fruit and oak. Would give a lot of pleasure quite young. Drink 2023-2038. - jancisrobinson.com, April 2017