2011 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

The estate's unique position within Bordeaux city limits created a warmer microclimate that proved beneficial during the cool, wet summer of 1999. The deep gravel-clay soils provided crucial drainage after September rains, while the old Cabernet Franc vines maintained steady ripening. The wine shows Les Carmes' characteristic floral lift and mineral precision, with the vintage's moderate alcohol lending elegance to the profile.

Ideal conditions through spring and summer allowed for perfect ripening across the estate's unique gravel-clay terroir in Pessac-Léognan. The château's 4.7-hectare vineyard, with its high proportion of Cabernet Franc, benefited from moderate September temperatures. The wine displays the vintage's power with notes of dark berries and tobacco, underpinned by the estate's characteristic mineral complexity.

Les Carmes' city location created a beneficial warm microclimate during the drought conditions of 2011. The estate's clay-gravel soils provided crucial water retention through the summer heat, while the high proportion of Cabernet Franc maintained aromatic complexity. The wine displays the property's signature floral lift and mineral core, balanced by the warmth of the vintage.

April frost largely spared the estate's urban-sheltered vineyards, while neighboring properties faced significant losses. The château's deep clay-limestone soils provided crucial water regulation through summer warmth, particularly beneficial for their old-vine Cabernet Franc. Guillaume Pouthier's early picking decision and high proportion of whole cluster fermentation yielded a wine of remarkable freshness, showing crushed herbs, black fruits, and the estate's signature spice notes.