In Bond Fine Wine. 2014 Château Tour Carnet, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France. Fourth Growth • Red Bordeaux in 12x75cl. Top critic score: 91/100 (NM). Drinking window: 2024–2028. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
One of the oldest estates in the Médoc, Château La Tour Carnet is situated in the Haut Medoc on superb gravel rich soils similar to those of neighbouring Pauillac and Saint-Julien. The south and south-west facing vineyard slopes, layered with deep Garonne and Pyrenean gravels over clay-limestone subsoils, provide ideal conditions for producing ripe, structured and beautifully balanced wines. Acquired by Bernard Magrez in 2000, the estate has been rejuvenated successfully combining its historic Médoc pedigree with a meticulous and uncompromising modern approach to quality. Typically led by Merlot alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, the wines are rich yet polished offering classic Médoc character.
Neal Martin (NM) — 91/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 31/03/2017 · Drink 2019-2030
The 2014 La Tour Carnet was a wine that I tasted last year from bottle, so why not give it another whirl to remind readers of its quality. There is a lot going on aromatically with plenty of boisterous black cherry and raspberry fruit, maintaining that floral element that I discerned last year. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, perhaps the oak on this bottle a little more conspicuous…
James Suckling (JS) — 90–91/100 · JamesSuckling.com, 27/03/2015
This shows a solid core of fruit with dark berry and chocolate character. Full with polished texture.
Neal Martin (NM) — 88/100 · Vinous, 2024-06-06 · Drink 2024-2028
The 2014 La Tour Carnet has more freshness and fruit presence than the Fombrauge. It shows ferrous red berry fruit, touches of meat juice and fine delineation. The palate is fully mature with slightly furry tannins. Bitter cherry mixed with orange peel seems to have dried out a little on the finish since I tasted it six years ago. Drink soon. Tasted at Pape-Clément.