Located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation to the south-west of Bordeaux, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion has garnered a reputation as one of the most innovative châteaux in the area. From 1584 to 1789 it was owned by Carmelite monks, who first established their reputation for good wine. During the French Revolution it was seized then sold at auction. Acquired by the Chantecailles, it remained in the family for over a hundred years. Today, the uber-modern Philippe Starck designed cellar firmly cements Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion's place as a forward-thinking 21st century producer. Owners Patrice and Diane Pichet have been the driving force in its reputation as one of the most dynamic properties of Pessac-Léognan in recent years, as well as Guillaume Pouthier, whose experience as an engineer and oenologist stands out for the practices he has implemented, both in its cellaring and winemaking (wines boast a highly unusual 40% share of Cabernet Franc).

The forty-year-old vines straddle Pessac and Bordeaux, rooted in a mosaic of gravel, sand and clay over limestone subsoil. They are cultivated using traditional methods, with a constant focus on enhancing berry quality to achieve the purest fruit expression possible. Vinification and ageing take place in the strikingly modern winery designed by Philippe Starck, inaugurated in 2016. At Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, beauty lies both in the architecture and in the wines themselves. What sets this wine apart is its unusually high proportion of Cabernet Franc for the Left Bank, beautifully balanced by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The result is a wine of remarkable richness, density and harmony. In the glass, it displays a deep ruby-red hue. The palate is ripe, full and generous. This bottle can easily be cellared for two decades, gaining in refinement and complexity with time. The Grand Vin of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion pairs beautifully with fine cuts of red meat.