Château Carbonnieux 2019

[ Primeurs 2019 Scores: 91-92 ] A lovely deep colour, a serious cedar-tinged nose, a clean, firm and precise palate, slightly angular; a wine for ageing. A little more depth of fruit would give it greater dimension.

Restrained, noble élevage: full attack, fruity, juicy development; first-class tannin, great breed and length; no other wine manages to embody both pop and class like this one.

Solid, with red currant and cherry paste notes allied to a tarry spine, with tobacco and iron accents on the finish. Shows good drive through the finish, too. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2032. 15,000 cases made.

Very floral on the nose, pretty, smells like roses, perfumed and nuanced. A touch astringent, in that dry tannins come through fairly quickly but there is good density of ripe fruit underneath and this does have acidity that keeps things lively and fresh. Sweet oak spice, liquorice and cloves dominate the finish, closing things down and making the overall feel quite intense. One to hold on to.

Black fruit, dried sage, charred bark, lavender, graphite and oyster shell on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, tightly wound tannins. Focused. Excellent tannin framing. Best yet. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. Try in 2026.

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. Black core. Intense black fruit and an oaky spice. The oak is present on the nose and the palate but not overdone. Firm, dry, chewy on the palate, with just enough flesh to fill out the structure. (JH)

The 2019 Carbonnieux has turned out beautifully. All the elements come together in a deep, textured Pessac-Léognan that is an absolute delight to taste today. Wild cherry, licorice, mocha, dried herbs, orange peel, mint and spice give the 2019 gorgeous layers of nuance. There's wonderful depth here and plenty of staying power too.

A bit reticent on the nose at the moment, it took some effort to bring out the herbs, mint, tobacco leaf, cherries, and a touch of espresso on the nose. Medium-bodied, refined, soft, and silky, there is freshness and lift to the lush, fresh, spicy, pure red berries on the palate and in the finish. You can drink this young, but if you wait a few years, it is going to be even better. Drink from 2024-2037.

Dark ruby garnet, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Dark forest-berry fruit with chocolate undertones, blackberries, delicately tobacco-like, a hint of precious wood. Complex, black cherries, firm tannins that still need time, savoury finish, tends to dry out a little.

The 2019 Château Carbonnieux sports a deep purple/ruby hue with a brilliant nose of red and black currants, spring flowers, spicy oak, and hints of tobacco. It is beautiful on the palate as well, medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, elegant texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It’s the finest wine I’ve tasted from this estate. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all raised in 40% new barrels. It’s well worth tracking down some bottles and will keep for two decades.

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 14.5% vol. alcohol) Powerful, velvety, fruity bouquet, black cherries, licorice, mocha cream, vanilla. Balanced, full and finely textured palate with vibrant, precise fruit, sweet, generous aromatics, silky structure, fine tannins, long, fresh finish. Has room to improve further.

(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 14.5% vol. alcohol) Powerful, velvety, fruity bouquet: black cherries, licorice, mocha cream, vanilla. Balanced, full and finely structured palate with vibrant, precise fruit, sweet, generous aromatics, silky texture, fine tannins, and a long, fresh finish. Can improve further. 17/20 2024 - 2045

Ruby plum colour, medium intensity with sweet tobacco and raspberry leaf fragrance. This is finessed with finely-boned tannins that nevertheless build gently in power over the palate. Less burly and exuberant than the 2018, with fresh acidities and a gentle kick of minerality. Thoroughly enjoyable, well delineated black and red fruits, feels signature Pessac-Léognan balance with a kick of glamour.

The 2019 Carbonnieux is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of redcurrant jelly, juicy plums, and cedar chest jump from the glass, followed by a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chewy and slightly hollow, with an herbal lift on the finish.

A lovely bouquet of rosehip, red fruits, and forest floor. The palate is indulgent and generous, revealing notes of scrub and earth, followed by coffee and chocolate aromas toward the finish. A fairly simple but very satisfying wine.

Beautiful expression of black berries and licorice, complemented by nuances of graphite. The smooth character of the attack opens up appealing prospects. The tannins are elegant and compact, ensuring that all elements are held together alongside the structure. Fruity, persistent finish. A fine success.

Dark, intense color. Moderately aromatic nose with ripe fruit. Fragrant, tasty, and pleasant palate, with medium body and length.

Dominated by structured Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is powerful, with layers of wood-aging flavors to go with the strong tannins. Developing slowly, it is likely to be ready from 2026.