{"title":"Les Carmes Haut Brion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChateau Les Carmes Haut Brion\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the fastest-rising estates on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, set on pristine gravelly soils in Pessac-Leognan. \u003cstrong\u003eOnce a part of a greater estate which featured Chateau Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion\u003c\/strong\u003e, amongst others, Les Carmes Haut Brion has held independent ownership since the mid-16th century, but has flourished under the guidance of \u003cstrong\u003eGroupe Pichet \u003c\/strong\u003esince 2010. Its unusually high blend of \u003cstrong\u003eCabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e has caught the eye of top critics, and its accessible price has charmed drinkers and collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLes Carmes Haut Brion History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChateau Les Carmes Haut Brion was originally owned by \u003cstrong\u003eJean de Pontac, who also held Chateau Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut Brion, Laville Haut Brion, and La Tour Haut Brion.\u003c\/strong\u003e The successful businessman then sold sects of the larger estate to private buyers. Les Carmes Haut Brion, in particular, fell into the hands of \u003cstrong\u003ethe Carmelite Order in 1584\u003c\/strong\u003e after de Pontac donated a watermill and the associated property to the religious group. The group’s name originates from Mount Carmel, which translates to ‘God’s Vineyard,’ and they named the new estate after the association. For two centuries, the Carmelites masterfully tended the vineyard, producing exceptional blends. However, during the French Revolution, all property was taken away from religious associations, leaving Carmes Haut Brion with no home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen, in 1840, Leon Colin purchased the estate and left ownership in the hands of his descendants, the Chantecaille-Furt family, for nearly two centuries. Under their guidance, Chateau Les Carmes experienced middling success, producing wines with only 6 hectares. In 2010, the Chateau experienced a renaissance when \u003cstrong\u003eGroupe Pichet purchased Les Carmes for $25 million, more than $5 million per hectare.\u003c\/strong\u003e The monumental purchase transformed Les Carmes, as the land ownership expanded from 6 hectares to 29 hectares, while the cellar and winery were renovated by legendary figures, Philippe Starck and Luc Arsene-Henry. Furthermore, \u003cstrong\u003efamed consultant Stephane Derenoncourt\u003c\/strong\u003e was hired to help with winemaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eChateau Les Carmes Haut Brion Terroir\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChateau Les Carmes Haut Brion sits close to Chateau Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut Brion in Bordeaux’s Pessac-Léognan appellation. The vineyard was expanded from 6 hectares to 29 hectares once Groupe Pichet acquired the estate, giving Chateau Les Carmes a wealth of incredible gravelly soil and clay-limestone bedrock to grow aged vines. \u003cstrong\u003eCabernet Franc is the estate’s most popular varietal, accounting for 41% of its vines, followed by Merlot at 39% and Cabernet Sauvignon at 20%.\u003c\/strong\u003e The small proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and high proportion of Cabernet Franc is unusual for vineyards in the region, giving Les Carmes’ final blends a distinct elegance and complex minerality.\u003cbr\u003eAdditionally, the winemaking team aims to increase its proportion of Cabernet Franc and decrease the Merlot vines. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eChateau Les Carmes Wines\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLes Carmes Haut Brion wines are crafted from 35-year-old vines, which produce fruit of intense minerality and elegance. Once hand-picked and sorted, the fruit is transferred to the cellar and aged for 18-24 months in 30% new French oak. Only 4,000 cases are produced each vintage, and the wines have been celebrated for their complex aromas, dark fruit flavors, and floral and spice finish. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eC des Carmes\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eC des Carmes is the estate's second label, first produced in 2011 as \"Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion\" before its title change in 2021. The bottles comprise a traditional blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and are best enjoyed in their youth. A crisp intensity and elegant range of aromas stand out when tasting the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0319\/8592\/6203\/collections\/Les_Carmes_Haut_Brion.jpg?v=1762214141","url":"https:\/\/grandcruliquidassets.com\/collections\/les-carmes-haut-brion.oembed","provider":"Grand Cru Liquid Assets","version":"1.0","type":"link"}