Appellations

Carbonnieux Rouge 2014

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

The 2014 Carbonnieux Rouge has a delightful, clean and pure bouquet with gravel and sous-bois scents neatly interwoven into the blackberry fruit. It feels quite understated, but it gains intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a keen line of acidity that lends this impressive tension and vibrancy. There is not enormous length here, but the sorbet-like freshness wins you over. Keep in the cellar for 2-3 more years and then enjoy over the next 15-18 years.

Score: 92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2038 Date: 31 March 2017

The Château Carbonnieux 2014 has a subtle nose, standoffish at first but losing its inhibitions to uncover blackberry, mulberry and candied orange peel. The palate is structured on the entry, the beginning of a linear Carbonnieux, but one adorned with ample freshness and vitality and plenty of tension towards the finish. It perhaps just does not quite deliver the length that a great vintage would have bestowed, but this is certainly a respectable contribution to the vintage.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2032 Date: 01 April 2015

The menthol and cassis nose here leads into quite a traditional wine, but the dry tannins aren’t a jot too much. This is a very solid wine that will gain in harmony with a few years’ ageing. Try in 2020.

Score: 91 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 13 February 2017

A very typical Carbonnieux with wet-stones, berries and walnuts. Medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish.

Score: 89 - 90 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 23 March 2015

Dark crimson. Intense fruit juice nose (little evidence of oak!) and very enthusiastic extraction. Acidity dominates.

Score: 15 - 16 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2030 Date: 21 April 2015

The 2014 Carbonnieux is endowed with notable energy and focus throughout. A spine of firm tannins support the red cherry, red currant, smoke, slate and floral notes nicely. Today, the 2014 is a bit unyielding, but there is also quite a bit of appeal to classically austere style, especially if the fruit fleshes out a bit more.

Score: 90 - 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2015

Has a brisk edge, with plum pit and Campari notes, followed by a hint of rose petal. Iron and sanguine hints chime in on the slightly sinewy finish. Should flesh out a touch more with the élevage.

Score: 88 - 91 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2015