2019 Le C de Carmes Haut Brion

Beautiful fragrance to the nose, perfumed and delicate yet so expressive, nothing out of balance with cherries and violets bursting out of the glass. Gorgeous smooth mouthfeel with some milk chocolate dusting on the fruit, tannins are delicate and softly mouth filling with a lovely salinity to the palate - creamy and unctuous but at the same time there's lots of acidity. This has a verticality to it, layered but with an aerial quality too, the flavours just glide across the palate with lift on the finish - so satisfying and drinkable. Just a glorious, shining, bright, velvety, succulent glass of wine. Pure elegance. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, 3.55pH.

Tension, energy and power with black fruits on the nose - get some Left Bank character straight away. This has juice running through the palate, an excellent 2nd wine because you get the sense of minerality, elegance and freshness of Pessac. More classic than its bigger sibling, perhaps, but with personality and punch. Vines in Martillac, in a separate plot from the main Carmes Haut-Brion estate. 30% new oak, only infusion technique used for maceration, 30% whole bunch fermentation. 3.59pH.