Classic Haut Brion nose of warm earth, brick, red cherry and blackcurrant fruit. Some lovely gravelly minerality underneath too. Very fluid style, with very fine tannins and excellent freshness giving a lovely supple texture. Fine, precise blackcurrant and black cherry fruit with good energy and a satisfying mineral finish.
April 2022

One of the finest second wines in this vintage is the 2021 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, a medium to full-bodied, deep and layered wine evocative of dark berries, plums, pipe tobacco and burning embers. Built around powdery tannins and lively acids, it's an elegant, seamless cuvée that does bear more than a passing resemblance to the grand vin.
William Kelley, April 2022

Bright and vibrant ruby and violet in colour, and even with higher levels of Merlot in the blend this year, this is more structured and subdued than the Chapelle with the character diffrence between the two estates fairly marked. Has a feeling of solidity and depth, with a focus on black fruits and tight tannins, give it a good four or five years before opening. 28% new oak.
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, May 2022

The 2021 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is deep, fleshy and super-expressive. Like all of the wines in this vintage here, the Clarence is on the lighter side, but that is not a bad thing. Primary dark fruit, leather, spice and tobacco fill out the layers nicely.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022

The 2021 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has a very pure bouquet of blueberry, cedar and violet, perhaps slightly more ethereal than the La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion. The palate is medium-bodied with quite strict tannins and a little more saline than expected, leading to a fresh finish. Maybe it lacks a bit of persistence, but it is a fine Deuxième Vin.
Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2022

Fragrant red-fruit notes. Broad and smooth on attack with finely integrated tannins. Palate a bit more subdued but fresh with firmness on the finish. Room for development. (JL) 13.6%
Drink 2026 – 2036
Jancisrobinson.com, May 2022