Michael Schuster: This is the second wine of both properties blended. From 1990 it was known as Les Plantiers du Haut Brion, but from 2009 it will be renamed La Clarté de Haut-Brion. Pale gold, very grapefruit Sauvignony to smell at the moment; nicely balanced, moderately concentrated, supple yet fresh middleweight; light, fresh, aromatic Sauvignon-dominated flavor for the moment (but this will surely fatten from the high proportion of Semillon), long and ripe and graceful, easy and refined; quite complex and with excellent length. Should drink well young but keep and develop for a decade or so. It will be a fraction of the price of the grands vins, though that may be no small fraction this year! 2012–20. 16/16.5

Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve: Clarté is made from the young vines of both Haut-Brion and Mission and from part of the grapes that don’t make it into the blend for the grands vins. The result is amazing, with intense aromatics and an almost Burgundian quality in the richness of the wine, the oak, and the texture. 18