Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2010, Pessac-Léognan

Before Les Carmes became one of Bordeaux’s most innovative estates, it was already home to one of the region’s most distinctive terroirs. The vineyards sit close to the city, on deep gravel over limestone, giving Cabernet Franc an unusually expressive voice in Pessac-Léognan.

2010 is a legendary vintage, and this wine shows why. Intense black fruit, floral, graphite, and a cool, energetic core define the style. Even at 15 years old, the structure is impressive, and the wine still has aging potential. This is one of those bottles that rewards patience, but already gives plenty. A glimpse of the precision that would put Les Carmes on every insider’s watchlist.