Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2020: A Distinctive Pessac-Léognan Expression

Les Carmes Haut-Brion has rapidly emerged as one of Bordeaux’s most exciting estates, standing apart from its prestigious neighbors, Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion, through its unique winemaking philosophy. The 2020 vintage was crafted from a blend of: 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot.

A hallmark of this vintage is the high proportion of whole-bunch fermentation (over 50%), a technique rarely used in Bordeaux but masterfully applied by winemaker Guillaume Pouthier to enhance aromatics, freshness, and complexity. The wine was aged in 80% new oak barrels, 11% foudres, and the remainder in clay amphorae, balancing power and finesse.

While sharing the Haut-Brion surname, Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2020 is stylistically distinct, offering a more vibrant, whole-cluster-influenced expression compared to the denser, more opulent styles of its famous neighbors. This wine is built for long-term aging, promising decades of evolution in the cellar.

With its rising reputation, unique Cabernet Franc-dominant blend, and innovative whole-bunch vinification, Les Carmes Haut-Brion continues to gain traction among collectors and fine wine investors. The 2020 vintage is a must-watch for those looking beyond the First Growths for age-worthy Bordeaux with character.