In Bond Fine Wine. 2020 Château Tour Carnet, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France. Fourth Growth • Red Bordeaux in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 92/100 (NM). Drinking window: 2023–2040. 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) — 91–93/100 · Vinous, 28/05/2021 · Drink 2023 - 2036
The 2020 La Tour Carnet has a wonderful bouquet of finely honed blackberry and briar scents plus touches of crushed rock and cedar, one of the most sophisticated that I have encountered from Bernard Magrez's Haut-Medoc at this stage. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, slightly chalky tannins, fine balance and good weight and focus on the finish. This is well worth seeking out as it is often…
Jancis Robinson MW (JR) — 15.5/20 · JancisRobinson.com, 26/04/2021 · Drink 2025-2030
Very dark crimson. Sweet, intense aromas of blackberry and cassis overlaid by oak spice. Compact, thick but smooth tannins. Only just enough freshness for balance. Lots of rich fruit and a chewy finish. Pushed a little bit too hard, it seems. (JH)
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (LPB) — 91–93/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 23/05/2021 · Drink 2024 - 2039
The 2020 la Tour Carnet sports a deep purple-black color and notes of crushed red and black currants, Morello cherries and fresh blackberries, plus hints of lavender, pencil lead and tobacco leaf with a touch of bay leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a great intensity of crunchy black fruits with a lively backbone and fine-grained tannins, finishing with great length and a skip in…