Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2015

95 points James Suckling: "Aromas of forest floor, mushrooms, lavender and violets. Full-bodied, tight and structured with fantastic tannins and focus. Long and layered. Impressively toned. Give it three or four years to come together. Begin drinking in 2023. (2/1/18)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "Offers a warm, plush, inviting feel, with tar, melted licorice and cocoa notes rolling out first, followed by a swath of warm plum and blackberry reduction flavors. Shows an alluring thread through the finish. Needs a little time to unwind, but there's lots to like here. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2035. (3/31/18)"

92-94 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby with purple reflections and delicate rim brightening. Fresh cherry, delicate red berry in the background, subtle herbal savouriness, a hint of plum. Lean, finesse-rich, red fruit underpinned, fine tannins, lively structure, mineral and salty, very energetic, precise style. (5/30/16)"

93+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "This is a seriously impressive vintage for this second label of Chateau Haut-Brion. Blended of 57% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color and expressive notes of crushed black cherries, blackberries, warm plums, dusty soil and spice cake with touches of dried roses and cigar boxes. Medium to full-bodied with wonderful concentration and depth, it features firm, beautifully rounded tannins and lively acid, finishing long and earthy. Drink: 2020-2039. (2/21/18)"

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$186 list] This is dense and concentrated, reflecting the character of Haut-Brion itself. It has weight, firm tannins and power alongside juicy black fruits and acidity that will give great pleasure as they develop. Drink from 2023. Alcohol 14.5%. (Apr 2018)"

92.6 points CellarTracker.com community score.

92 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Just as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel, the 2015 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a very serious second wine. The Clarence captures the personality of the vintage at Haut-Brion with terrific eloquence. An infusion of black cherry, mocha, tobacco, chocolate and violet leads into the dark, virile finish. What a gorgeous wine this is! Drink: 2020-2035. (Feb 2018)"

92 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2015 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a blend of 57% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet in color, it needs a little swirling to unlock notes of baked plums, juicy boysenberries, and wild blueberries, plus suggestions of cinnamon toast and wood smoke. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers fine-grained tannins and plenty of freshness to support the generous black fruits, finishing with a savory lift. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2022-2032. (11/17/22)"

92 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The élevage here was 17 months in 33% new oak. Compared to the other Clarence Dillon second wine, La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, this focuses much more on the darkness of the fruits, with black olive, minty hawthorn and dried black cherry, but it is perfumed too, a little floral in style, and more mineral, with limestone dust swirled within the caramel oak. The palate communicates through substance rather than finesse, showing a wealth of crushed black fruits, cherry and olives, black pepper too, with an energy coursing beneath this warm-vintage substance. It is seductive, svelte even, certainly showing a ripe low-key backbone of tannins. And it possesses a long finish, vigorous and charged. A very attractive second wine. (May 2018)"

91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Leading off the reds, the 2015 Le Clarence de Haut Brion is the second wine of the estate and is 57% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Like its big brother, it has a classic, straight profile, medium-bodied richness, and textbook Graves notes of tobacco leaf, cedary spice, currants, and plums. Balanced, nicely concentrated, and with fine tannin, it will be better in a few years and keep for a decade or more. Drink: 2018-2028. (11/30/17)"

91 points Decanter: "More powerful than La Chapelle this year. 57% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc. Excellent tannin structure and very good quality fruit of great length. Beautiful bright reflection of violet edging. One that is set to develop slowly."