This has a big start of tannins and fruit, yet the tannins are round and polished. Impressive backbone. Full body. Compact. Lots of blackberry and wet-earth flavors. Powerful finish. As the second wine of Haut-Brion, this shows lots of potential for the vintage. Drink after 2022.

A blend of 55% Merlot, 5.3% Cabernet Franc, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.7% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is deep garnet-purple in color and starts off with youthful notions of cedar chest and crushed blackcurrants, giving way to a core of raspberry pie, kirsch, black cherry compote and unsmoked cigars with a touch of crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating red and black fruits with a firm backbone of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering earthy note.- LPB