Carbonnieux Rouge 2016

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

The 2016 Carbonnieux has gained tremendous richness and depth with élevage. A whole range of sweet tobacco, menthol, savory herbs, leather and licorice notes flesh out as this powerful, super-expressive wine starts to open in the glass. From barrel, the 2016 was quite gracious, but today, from bottle it is far deeper and richer.

Score: 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2031 Date: 01 January 2019

The 2016 Carbonnieux is positively delightful. Elegant, gracious and medium in body, the 2016 possesses exceptional finesse and nuance. Bright red cherry, white pepper and mint add a super-appealing upper register. Above all else, though, Carbonnieux speaks to total finesse. This is an especially refined wine for the appellation.

Score: 90 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 25 April 2017

The 2016 Carbonnieux has a refined bouquet of brambly black fruit, cedar and subtle bay leaf aromas that gently unfolds in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and a crisp line of acidity. Saline and spicy toward the second half, with a feisty but focused finish that lingers in the mouth. Great potential here. A Pessac-Léognan that deserves a higher profile, especially given quality like this.

Score: 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2040 Date: 01 January 2019

The 2016 Carbonnieux has a gorgeous, beautifully defined bouquet with pure black fruit, hints of sous-bois and pressed flowers, the new oak seamlessly integrated. What a nuanced and sensual bouquet! The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of ripe, black, graphite-tinged fruit, supremely well-judged acidity and a level of harmony that frankly, I have never encountered on a Carbonnieux. This is a brilliant wine from this Pessac-Léognan estate that has threatened to make a wine this good in the past.

Score: 92 - 94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2021-2050 Date: 28 April 2017

Succulent, beautifully fragrant and subtly spicy, easy to sink into and will offer many years of pleasurable drinking. Planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot and Carmenère.

Score: 92 Decanter, - Maturity: 2025-2040 Date: 25 April 2017

Very lively and fresh on the nose. Thick and sweet. Lacks a little bit of life but it's superficially flattering. Very drying finish. Lots of mass but not that much finesse.

Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2024-2037 Date: 21 April 2017

Lively, with a bouncy edge to the mix of plum, cherry and cassis notes. A light tarry echo shows on the finish, but this relies more on juicy acidity. Solid length.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 10 April 2017

Big and juicy red with lots of fruit and tannins yet it’s not overdone. Full-bodied, chewy and intense. Lots of potential here. Better than the 2015?

Score: 94 - 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 24 March 2017