Description
Chateau Haut-Brion Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2011
Chateau Haut-Brion Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2011 comes from France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan, and is the second wine of First Growth Haut-Brion, known for its high value and consistent quality. The 2011 vintage is regarded as one of the more distinctive vintages on Bordeaux's Left Bank; this Le Clarence displays layers of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, graphite, black cherry and hints of coffee. It has medium-to-full body, ripe and refined tannins, elegant yet powerful structure, with the classic Pessac-Leognan style balanced with modern finesse.
Vinification & Style
Chateau Haut-Brion Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is produced in France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan, under AOC Pessac-Leognan, and the estate is classified as 1er Grand Cru Classé (First Growth) in the 1855 classification. The 2011 blend is Merlot-dominant (around 45–50%), with Cabernet Sauvignon (around 30–35%) and small amounts of Cabernet Franc (around 15–20%), reflecting the estate's commitment to traditional Left Bank varieties. The wine is matured in French oak for about 14–16 months, with around 30–40% new barrels, giving cedar, toast, vanilla and spice while retaining the Left Bank's characteristic fruit richness, silkiness and fine line.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep ruby, intense and bright with a glossy sheen, reflecting the ripeness and concentration of the 2011 vintage.
Nose: Blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, graphite and hints of coffee and cocoa — a rich, complex nose with Pessac-Leognan's characteristic fruity elegance.
Palate: Medium-to-full body, with fresh black and red fruit, and ripe but still firm tannins; acidity keeps the fruit, wood and spice in balance, with a rounded texture. Mid-palate reveals cedar, tobacco, black pepper, cassis, graphite and a touch of coffee, giving a rich, elegant impression but with Le Clarence's typical finesse.
Finish: Long, with black fruit, floral notes, cedar and spice, and tannins still present but beginning to soften; further bottle age will round it out further.
Reviews & Accolades
James Suckling: 92 points — "The 2011 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion shows ripe black fruit, cedar and spice, medium-to-full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Pessac-Leognan performances."
Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 90 points — "The 2011 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion shows sweet black fruit, cedar and graphite, medium-to-full body, dense and silky texture, one of the most beautiful wines of the vintage."
Wine Enthusiast: 91 points — "The 2011 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion shows tobacco, underbrush, assorted spices, blackberries, wild herbs, and espresso, medium-to-full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Pessac-Leognan performances."
Overall, the wine is viewed as one of the most attractive value Pessac-Leognans in the 2011 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion lineup, suitable for drinking now and for mid-term ageing (around 10–20 years), with further development of cedar, tobacco and ripe fruit complexity in the bottle.
Serving & Pairing
Decanting: 1–2 hours recommended at this stage.
Serving temperature: 16–18°C.
Food pairing (HK-friendly)
Red meats: Charcoal-grilled rib-eye, sirloin steak, black-pepper beef, braised beef short ribs, grilled lamb chops.
Chinese: Roast goose, soy-sauce chicken, soy-braised short ribs, oxtail stew, slow-braised beef brisket.
Cheese / charcuterie: Comté, mature Cheddar, Gruyère, cured ham, salami.
Special Info
The 2011 vintage on Bordeaux's Left Bank is generally considered distinctive and rewarding, and Le Clarence de Haut-Brion in 2011 has been described as elegant, balanced and fruit-forward, meaning it is drinkable now but will gain further complexity with further bottle age. The estate's history stretches back to the 17th century, and it is a First Growth in the 1855 classification, known for high value and consistent quality.
Origin: France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan
Type: Red Wine
Grape: Merlot-dominant, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Cabernet Franc
ABV: 13.5%
Volume: 750ml
