The 2011 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is another gem in this vintage that's drinking nicely today. Coming from a vineyard near Haut-Brion, it has surprising ripeness in its red and black currants, sandalwood, spice, and scorched earth-like aromatics. Beautiful on the palate as well, it builds nicely with time in the glass, has medium to full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It will hold for another 10-15 years and have a gradual decline after that.

This tiny jewel of a property, situated close to La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion, has turned out one of the stars of the 2011 vintage. A deep dark ruby/purple color is followed by hints of graphite, charcoal, creme de cassis and Christmas fruitcake. This medium-bodied Pessac-Leognan is gorgeously concentrated with impeccably well-integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and oak. An authoritatively long finish adds to the class and nobility of this wine. Drink it over the next 15 years.