Chateau Les Carmes Haut-BrionProducer from Bordeaux, France

Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is one of the most unique estates in Pessac-Léognan, known for producing wines of remarkable finesse, complexity, and aromatic intensity. Although not part of the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, Les Carmes Haut-Brion has earned a reputation as one of the leading estates in the Graves region. With its distinctive blend of grape varieties and a terroir that benefits from the influence of the nearby city of Bordeaux, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion consistently delivers wines that are both elegant and expressive.

History of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

The history of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion dates back to 1584 when the property was gifted to the Carmelite monks by Jean de Pontac, the owner of Château Haut-Brion. The monks maintained the vineyard for over two centuries, during which time they established a reputation for producing high-quality wines. The estate was later secularized during the French Revolution and eventually came under the ownership of the Chantecaille-Furt family.

In 2010, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion was acquired by the Pichet family, who have since invested significantly in the estate, both in the vineyard and the winery. Under the direction of Patrice Pichet and winemaker Guillaume Pouthier, the estate has embraced a modern approach to winemaking while maintaining a deep respect for its historical roots. Today, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is recognized for its distinctive style and its commitment to producing wines of the highest quality.

The Terroir of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

The terroir of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is one of its greatest assets, contributing to the unique character and quality of its wines. The estate’s 35 hectares of vineyards are located on a mix of gravel, clay, and sand soils, with a subsoil rich in iron oxide. This diverse terroir allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of grape varieties, including Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The vineyard is planted with 40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend that is unusual for Pessac-Léognan and contributes to the estate’s distinctive style. The high proportion of Cabernet Franc adds aromatic complexity, freshness, and structure to the wines, while the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon provide richness, depth, and ageing potential.

The proximity of the vineyards to the city of Bordeaux creates a unique microclimate that protects the vines from frost and allows for a long growing season. This terroir, combined with meticulous vineyard management, results in wines that are both powerful and refined, with a remarkable ability to age gracefully over decades.

Winemaking at Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Winemaking at Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a meticulous process that combines tradition with innovation. The grapes are hand-harvested and sorted to ensure that only the finest fruit is used in the winemaking process. Fermentation takes place in a combination of concrete and stainless steel vats, allowing for precise control over the extraction of flavours and tannins.

The wines are then aged in a mix of French oak barrels, concrete vats, and amphorae for 18 to 24 months, with about 60% new oak used each year. This diverse approach to ageing enhances the wines' complexity and depth, allowing the tannins to soften and the flavours to integrate harmoniously. The result is a wine that is both approachable in its youth and capable of developing greater complexity and nuance over time.