Parker about Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 1996
A medium ruby-colored, sexy, seductive Graves, with loads of tobacco-tinged jammy cherry fruit intermixed with smoke and earth, this spicy, round, generous 1996 reveals no hard edges. It continues to be one of the most stylish, under-rated wines from the Pessac-Leognan region. Although it will not be long-lived, this wine offers plenty of appeal for drinking over the next decade.
Description
Land | France |
Region | Bordeaux Pessac-Léognan |
Rebsorten | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc |
Alkoholgehalt | 12.50% |
Füllstand | Into Neck |
Verschlußart | cork stopper |
Kennzeichnung | Contains sulphites |
Farbe | Red |
Inverkehrbringer | Château La Mission Haut Brion, 67 Rue Peybouquey, 33400 Talence, France |
Charakter | Dry |
Servierempfehlung | Decant at 16-18°C |
Trinkempfehlung | 2004 - 2034 |
Parker Punkte | 87 |
Jahrgang | 1996 |
Bordeaux Pessac-Léognan, France 🇫🇷

Goes well with

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 1996

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 1996 is an elegant Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, prized for its finesse, balance, and subtle complexity. The 1996 vintage in Bordeaux, particularly in the Médoc, was excellent, producing wines characterized by clarity of fruit and excellent structure.
The wine displays a deep ruby red color with slight signs of ripeness at the edges. The bouquet reveals refined aromas of ripe red and black fruits, including black currants, cherries, and plums. These fruit notes are accompanied by subtle hints of cedarwood, tobacco, and a hint of smoke, typical of Pessac-Léognan. Subtle notes of pencil lead, dried herbs, and a hint of earth are also noticeable, lending the wine additional depth and complexity.
On the palate, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 1996 presents a medium-bodied wine with soft, well-integrated tannins that offer a smooth texture. The fruit flavors are well-integrated and harmonize with the lively acidity, which lends the wine freshness and excellent balance. Notes of tobacco, spice, and a hint of mineral accents complement the fruit and lend the wine an elegant structure.
The finish is long and refined, characterized by persistent fruit and spice notes that gently caress the palate. The 1996 vintage is now in an ideal drinking window, with the wine continuing to display impressive maturity and finesse.
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 1996 is a high-quality wine that perfectly embodies the elegance and subtle character of Pessac-Léognan. It is ideal as a companion to refined dishes or for special occasions, offering an exquisite drinking experience for lovers of classic Bordeaux wines.