A medium- to full-bodied red with fine and lightly chewy tannins. Lots of dark chocolate, crushed stone and graphite flavors at the end. Subtle. 62.1% merlot, 21.9% cabernet sauvignon, 14.5% cabernet franc and 1.5% petit verdot.

The fruit is a darker than in La Mission, a ton of depth to the flavour, and this has really grown into itself over ageing. Creamy cassis and blackberry, graphite or rather a smudged crayon because there is a softness to this, plump and enticing but with structure and clear ageability. Serious at first, then lightens up. great quality.

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is fabulous. Rich, deep and explosive, La Clarence is everything a second wine should be. In other words, a smaller-scaled version of the original. Sumptuous dark fruit makes a strong opening statement. Complicated notes of gravel, dried herbs, crushed rose petals and blood orange lend gorgeous savory nuance. Impressive.

The 2022 Le Clarence De Haut-Brion is mostly Merlot but includes 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and a little less than 2% Petit Verdot. It's a darker fruited, more structured second wine offering medium to full-bodied richness, a ripe, layered, textured profile, beautiful tannins, and classic notes of darker currants, cherries, smoked tobacco, and scorched earth. It's clearly an outstanding wine and has more than a hint of classic Haut-Brion style.

Sweet and sun-kissed dark fruit on the nose, smells quite heady and expressive - blackcurrants, cherries and plums. Juicy, a touch chewy and creamy - there's a nice weight to the tannins which have a fleshy texture, and although there's acidity, this is more deep and brooding with dark black fruit, spiced liquorice, graphite and tobacco notes. There's clarity and good persistence with a mint and clove aspect to the finish. Tannins have softened and expanded since Primeurs and this gives a nice filling mouthful. 20% new oak.

Dense plush texture, crushed roses, damson puree, orange peel, cocoa beans, baked spices, 32hl/h yields, lowest since 1991.

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has a slightly higher-toned bouquet than the La Chapelle with blueberry, blackberry, iris petal and strawberry pastille aromas. Playful. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline entry and fine-boned tannins. The 2022 is poised and focused with a sophisticated finish. Superb.

The 2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, the second wine of Château Haut-Brion, is elaborated from a blend of 61.2% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot. It reveals a bright, fruity bouquet with aromas of dark berries, plums, tobacco, graphite and spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, textural and fleshy with structuring tannins and a fresh, tense finish. It is a very nice way to introduce the great wine of Haut-Brion.

62.1% Merlot, 21.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. More subdued than La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion at this stage but seems to have more energy and freshness. Mouth-filling fruit on attack. Plush texture. Firm tannins but a slight powdery dryness on the finish. (JL)