CRITIC REVIEWS
Neal Martin
The 2014 Clarence Haut-Brion has a tad more opulence on the nose than its peers: brambly red fruit, white pepper, tobacco and just a touch of antique wood varnish. Fairly complex - this keeps the nose in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, predominantly red fruit laced with peppercorns and bay leaf, gaining weight toward the finish. It's persistent on the finish, better than expected and worth hunting down. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Neal Martin
The 2014 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, you could argue, has a more engaging bouquet vis-a-vis the La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, a scintilla more mineralite and tension demonstrated in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, vibrant wild strawberry and blackcurrant fruit intermingling with white pepper, bay leaf and cedar. There is admirable persistence in the mouth suggesting that it will offer 12-15 years drinking pleasure. This is very fine.