La Clarte De Haut-Brion 2021

Of the five rarified First Growths estates, only Château Haut-Brion is located outside Médoc. It is located southwest of Bordeaux’s city center. It belongs to the Pessac-Léognan appellation, north of the Graves wine-growing region. Château Haut-Brion is the only wine to be both First Growths from the 1855 classification and Classified Growth of the Graves. 

Château Haut-Brion was first planted in 1553 and is considered the oldest First Growth. The sprawling, ancient vineyards of Château Haut-Brion date back to the 1st century AD, and Roman coins can be found scattered in its heavily graveled vineyards. Haut-Brion was considered a “cru” vineyard as early as the 15th Century. Interestingly enough, Haut-Brion was the subject of the first-ever tasting note from Samuel Pepys, the author of The Diarist, in 1663. He wrote that he, “drank a sort of French wine called Ho Bryen that had a good and most particular taste I never met with.” In 1935, Clarence Dillon acquired the estate and restored it to its former glory and the elite circle of the most legendary wines in the world. This extraordinary, bold, courageous vision is continued by the fourth generation of the family, represented by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Chairman and CEO since 2008. 

This First Growth estate has retained its authenticity throughout the centuries. Château Haut-Brion may lack the fanfare other First Growths have, but many wine lovers have adored it. From Thomas Jefferson (America’s first wine connoisseur) to Queen Elizabeth II, whose cellar stocks this wine, to the well-respected wine critic Robert Parker Jr., this First Growth château continues to retain its authenticity and captivate audiences throughout the ages.

The property stands facing Château La Mission Haut-Brion and shares with it the same gravelly terrace, ideal for cultivating vines already named Haut-Brion on ancient maps and deeds. The nature of the gravel at Chateau Haut-Brion, consisting of small stones of various types of quartz, is a key element contributing to the particularly valuable wine-growing potential of the soil. The gravelly soils lie upon a unique clay, sand, limestone, and shelly sand subsoil. The vineyard stretches across an area of 51 hectares, 48 of which are planted with red grape varieties, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, and 3 hectares are devoted to the white grape varieties such as Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. 

The success of Château Haut Brion’s wines lies in its respect for tradition, values, unique expertise acquired over the centuries, and innovative, modern vision. Through its wines, the estate aims to reveal the quintessence of its exceptional terroirs. The combination of science and the particular terroir allows Château Haut-Brion to produce excellent red and white wines with unmistakable elegance.  

La Clarté de Haut-Brion boasts a legendary and unique kinship: made from grapes grown on the Haut-Brion terroir, it is born of two prestigious estates: Château Haut-Brion and Château La Mission Haut-Brion.

The mildness of winter 2021 causes budburst to start early on 1st March. In spring, the month of April is marked by a severe incidence of frost in the Bordeaux region. The position of Haut-Brion’s vineyard once again shows its inestimable value, as the frost spared the large majority of the plots. Heavy rain during the months of May and June has little impact on the vines. In keeping with spring, the beginning of summer is wet and quite cool, so the vine develops slowly. 2021 is a winegrower’s vintage, one in which the vineyard requires a lot of attention. In early August, meteorological instability makes way for hot, dry weather, with cool nights that are propitious for the grapes’ development, in terms of their technological ripeness, as well as their aromatic characteristics. A month of fine weather enables us to reach harvesting time serenely, with grapes of superb quality. In the end, ripeness is attained, with tremendous freshness in the grapes and lower degrees of alcohol than in past years, reminding us of classic Bordeaux vintages of the 1990s. Harvesting took place from 3rd to 13th September. 

La Clarté Haut-Brion 2021 is a blend of 56% Sémillon and 44% Sauvignon. The 2021 vintage is markey by its color that is a pale yellow with green glints. The wine presents concentration on the nose, with delicate scents of white flowers and lemon. It is wide and generous on the first taste. Then the wine develops, fleshy and taut at the same time. Fresh, lemony notes persist on the finish and stretch the wine out in length. This is definitely a superb Clarté! 

Here a short video : Château Haut-Brion 2021 vintage

"If you are going to pick a 2nd wine in the 2021 vintage, I strongly recommend heading to the whites. Hard to go wrong here, with its grip and pummice-stone tension, savoury white pear and mouthwatering lime zest, citrus peel, excellent quality. Has a clear intensity to it, a slate-textured finish and fleshy but pared-back pear fruits. 45% new barrels, and lower alcohols than over the past few years (as with the whole Haut-Brion range). Harvest from September 3 to 13." - Jane Anson, (01/27/2024), Ratings: 93, Drink: 2022-2028

"Expressive nose full of green apple, elderflower, honeysuckle, acacia, citrus zest and grapefruit. Lively and upfront, a rush of almost sweet but fresh lemon, peach and apple fruits, crunchy but with a lovely texture that gives a sense of weight on the palate. Full of life with direction and precision, a mouthwatering sensation as well as a full one. Great stuff here, so much character as well as purity of fruit and overall harmony. One worth seeking out." - Georgina Hindle, Decanter, (04/01/2022), Ratings: 93

"The 2021 La Clarté de Haut-Brion will give readers a very good idea of how compelling the vintage is for white wines. The second wine of both La Mission and Haut Brion Blanc, La Clarté offers a beguiling bouquet redolent of lemon confit, orchard fruit, mint and white flowers. Bright and steely, but with an extra kick of mid-palate creaminess, La Clarté is absolutely gorgeous today." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous (05/2022), Ratings: 91-93

"The second wine of Haut-Brion, the 2021 La Clarte De Haut-Brion Blanc is well worth seeking out, offering melon ball, crushed citrus, and honeyed mineral-nuances in a medium-bodied, clean, straight, balanced package. It shows the vintage's fresh, pure, chiseled style." - Jeb Dunnuck (06/02/2022), Ratings: 91-93

"A blend of 55% Sémillon and 45% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2021 La Clarté de Haut-Brion exhibits aromas of crisp nectarine, citrus oil, white flowers and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, lively and textural, it's beautifully balanced, concluding with a long, saline finish. It's worth serious consideration this year." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (04/29/2022), Ratings: 91-93