Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Les Carmes Haut-Brion amongst the most promising producers of their appellation according to Bettane+Desseauve

The experts of Bettane+Desseauve selected in every vineyard of France the producers who appear to have the potential to climb at the highest level of their appellation.

Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion :
« Small vineyard in the neighbourhood of Haut-Brion, also saved from the urbanization of Pessac, Les Carmes Haut-Brion produces a very harmonious and subtle wine, in which the Cabernet franc in particular brings its incomparable delicacy. The property was bought in December, 2010 by Patrice Pichet, at the head of the Pichet real estate group and since then has been particularly shining. It is undoubtedly a jewel promised to a world celebrity. »

The Carmes Haut-Brion estate goes back to the 16thcentury and has remained remarkably stable over the years. In 1584, Jean de Pontac, the lord of Haut-Brion, donated a large mill with surrounding meadows and vines to the Carmelite Order. This haven of peace and garden of plenty also had an unlimited supply of pure water thanks to a spring feeding a fountain calledd’Eubrion.

The Carmelites remained the sole owners of the estate for over two centuries, which gradually acquired the name of « Carmes Haut-Brion » over the years. They also expanded their land holding to other parts of the Haut-Brion vineyard.

Taken over by the state during the French Revolution, Les Carmes Haut-Brion was sold in 1840 to Léon Colin, a Bordeaux wine merchant and ancestor of the Chantecailles. The Chantecaille-Furt family owned and managed the estate for generations, until quite recently.

A new chapter in the château’s history began in 2010 when it was purchased by the Pichet real estate group, established in the Aquitaine region a quarter of a century previous by Patrice Pichet. The property at this time consisted of 5 hectares of vines as well as beautiful grounds designed by landscape artist Louis-Bernard Fischer in the 19th century. Although this prestigious acquisition was a natural part of the group’s diversification strategy, it also reflected the founder’s passion for Bordeaux wine and his strong belief in the estate’s unique potential.

Encircled by the city of Bordeaux, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a jewel of an estate with an outstanding terroir that is managed with the greatest of care and attention. Furthermore, major investments have been made in the vineyard, cellars, winemaking facilities and work force. This is all part of ambitious plans to realize the full potential of one of the most beautiful estates in the Pessac-Léognan appellation.

Although, historically speaking, Les Carmes Haut-Brion was originally outside the city, it is presently surrounded by the city of Bordeaux and two of its suburbs. This urban vineyard is thus the only one to have an address in the capital of the Aquitaine region:  20 rue des Carmes in Bordeaux. This location is important because it has a mild mircoclimate conducive to ripening. The landscaped grounds and abundance of water thanks to the Le Peugue stream that crosses the estate are at the heart of an ecosystem highly beneficial to winegrowing.

Separated by Le Peugue, the terroir consists of two slopes with naturally permeable soil made up of gravel, clay and sand in variable proportions. This unique combination of soil and microclimate explains Les Carmes Haut-Brion’s finesse.

The atypical blend of grape varieties (55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon) is yet another factor in what makes the estate so special. These proportions are particularly well-adapted to the terroir and contribute to the wine’s unique profile: complex aromatics, both powerful and refined, in keeping with the very finest wines of Pessac-Léognan

When Patrice Pichet acquired Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion in 2010, he intended to transform this unique estate into a showcase.

Blessed with a prestigious terroir in the historic birthplace of the great wines of Bordeaux, the estate clearly needed facilities in keeping with its status, combining the best of tradition and modern technology for future vintages. Visitors also needed be welcomed in an appropriate setting.

A lover of great wine as well as design and architecture, Patrice Pichet naturally called on two famous professionals: the famous designer Philippe Starck and the architect Luc Arsène-Henry. They will be responsible for building and decorating the new vat room, ageing cellar and reception area.

Above and beyond new facilities, the aim is to integrate the estate in the city by constructing something unique and worthy of such an outstanding wine.

PATRICE PICHETowner

"There were two reasons behind my acquisition of Les Carmes Haut-Brion: one is my love of fine wine and the other is that, as a corporate CEO, it fit in with my development strategy.   Motivated by my passion for wine and the desire to diversify Groupe Pichet’s real estate investments, I made a concerted effort to find just the right wine estate. This unfortunately did not bear fruit for quite some time…However, I was struck by Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion the minute I saw it. Its location in the heart of the city and the beautiful grounds immediately attracted me.

My heart was won over from the very first, and I perceived this historic family-owned estate as a jewel that only needed polishing to reveal its intrinsic brilliance. An ambitious investment plan has been implemented to do just this. Relying on much-respected professionals – Guillaume Pouthier was appointed manager and Stéphane Derenoncourt has been our consultant for several years – I have been helped to make the best possible choices with regard to viticultural practices, expanding the vineyard, and making the wine."