Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc

Château Carbonnieux White

Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Pessac - Léognan

Château Carbonnieux white is a legendary wine. It is said that in the 18th century it was introduced to the Sultan of Constantinople’s palace because of its clarity and was called “mineral water from Carbonnieux”, thus defying the Islamic law.
The clay–limestone of Garonne gravel found in the Pessac-Léognan Appellation certainly produces the best dry white wines in the Bordeaux region. When young, Carbonnieux white wines are delightfully refreshing and pure with a fruity, floral intensity. When mature they develop hints of dried and candied fruits giving scope for a large range of gastronomic pairings. The batches which will form part of this “cru classé” will be blended so as to induce an excellent complicity between the grape varieties. The chosen Semillon grapes will add structure to the liveliness of the Sauvignon grapes by giving them roundness and volume on the palate.
Serving temperature : 12 – 14°C
Cellaring advice : 4 – 8 years
Wine and food pairing : raw or cooked fish, seafood, foie gras, white meat, exotic dishes, cheese, fruit desserts…

We advise storing these wines in a cool dark place at a consistent temperature and humidity level.
In spite of the care taken in the winemaking process, white wines remain more fragile than red wines.

  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2021


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2021, Against all odds
    The 2021 vintage will leave a great feeling of pride in the memories of our winegrowers because of the need to thwart the ugly tricks of Mother Nature. About ten nights of fighting against frost in April followed by a typically oceanic, mild and humid summer causing continuous high disease pressure. The rigor of our viticultural practices, throughout the year, made a real difference this year. The pickers harvested very fine grapes with everything one could wish for: sweetness, acidity, very interesting aromatic notes and normal yields. 2021 is shaping up, against all odds, to be full of promise.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2021

    This wine has a beautiful transparent yellow color. The first nose is very pure exhaling notes of grapefruit and lime blossom then aromas around lemony citrus fruits. The attack is lively, full of freshness, in the mid-palate the wine evolves with the very interesting fat of the Semillon aged on lees and ends with a long, fresh and dense finish. 2021 is in keeping with the line of very fine white Bordeaux vintages .
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 65% Sauvignon, 35% Semillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13°


    Download technical sheet 2021
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2020


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2020, Mildness and Precocity
    A particularly mild rainy Autumn-Winter 2019 -2020 resulted in early budding. This 10-15 days advance continued throughout the vegetative cycle. Flowering went well and homogeneous followed by a fast regular fruit set without “coulure” or “millerandage”. The same can be said for the “veraison”: precocious and homogeneous. Maturity inspections shook up the holidays and promised a start to the harvest on August 19th. The picking was carried out without any major difficulty in spite of the constraints due to the pandemic and sanitary measures, everywhere the grapes were healthy and maturity was evenly spread over time.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2020

    A pale yellow colour, very pure with slightly green tints. The nose is young, revealing freshness and the whole personality of the white Sauvignon in its savoury aromas of intense citrus fruit. The freshness and intensity of a precocious vintage is surprising in this 2020 white. The woodiness is mellowed leaving pride of place to the aromas of juicy white fruit (pear, peach...). The end is divine.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 65% Sauvignon, 35% Semillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13°


    Download technical sheet 2020
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2019


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2019, The reward
    After two difficult-to-produce vintages, 2019 ended the decade on a remarkable note.
    An homogeneous bud burst, a regular growth of the vines, an ideal course of flowering, followed by drought at the beginning of summer spared the vineyard from sanitary deterioration. At the beginning of August, the rains arrived in time for the veraison to benefit by taking place under the best auspices, then the sun resumed its rights until the end of the harvest.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2019

    The wonderful ripening conditions in 2019 produced very aromatic grapes. The style of a great year is well and truly there, the attack is powerful, very round with a dense mid-palate and a fine smooth finish. The acidity brings freshness, revealing all the finesse and elegance of this wine.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 65% Sauvignon, 35% Semillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13°


    Download technical sheet 2019
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2018


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2018, The sun king
    The beginning of 2018 was difficult: a hailstorm on part of the vineyard and heavy rain let us think as early as June that the quantities of all the grape varieties would be small. Then, the sun king did a supreme job right up to the end of the harvest by giving us magnificent grapes. However in spite of the limited quantity, 2018 will be a very great vintage for Carbonnieux!

    Château Carbonnieux White 2018

    2018 has given a well-balanced wine with a fine concentration of aromas and an outstanding style for the vintage. Despite a rather warm and dry weather, the wine has kept the fine lemon tones of the Sauvignon grape variety as well as aromas of grilled hazelnuts reminiscent of the unctuous Semillon.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 70% Sauvignon, 30% Semillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13.5°


    Download technical sheet 2018
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2017


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2017, A vicious start.
    At the end of April 2017, an exceptional temperature drop caused damage in all the vineyards of France. Chateau Carbonnieux has not been spared by this frost episode despite its exposure on the top of a fine hillock. Mainly affected in the clay-limestone areas, the resulting yields are low but fortunately of very fine quality.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2017

    At first nose, citrus and exotic fruit exhale. After stirring a slight vanilla aroma mingles with notes of Semillon, white peach, hazelnut and dry apricot. The attack on the palate is smooth and round. A harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity brings volume in mid palate. The finish is long, delectable and complex.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 60% Sauvignon, 40% Semillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13°


    Download technical sheet 2017
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2016


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2016, Happiness for a winemaker.
    Vintages both exceptional in quality and generous in quantity are very rare. Yet 2016 is one of them.
    The fruit of excellent work every day together with weather full of good surprises, 2016 gave us a great harvest with, in addition, grapes of a remarkable quality.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2016

    The "Carbonnieux style" is well and truly here! The aromatic palette is complete, ranging from citrus fruit to white-fleshed fruit, apricot and a slight touch of vanilla.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 70% Sauvignon, 30% Semillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 12.5°
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2015


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2015, The magic of “5”.
    Bordeaux remembers the mythical 1945, 55, 75 or more recently 85, 95 and 2005.
    A perfect weather along the vegetative cycle allows 2015 to follow the ten-year legend for the marvellous vintages produced in years ending in “5".

    Château Carbonnieux White 2015

    The attack is greedy with a delightful lemon freshness.
    Fullness and length in the mouth complete the qualities of this "magic" vintage.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 80% Sauvignon, 20% Semillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13°


    Download technical sheet 2015
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2014


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2014, from doubt to certainty, a vintage saved by the sun god….
    The climatic inversion between summer and autumn 2014 remains unique in the annals of Bordeaux and as winegrowers from the region we could only be filled with enthusiasm. The 2014 vintage was marked by early flowering and very slow ripening. All the aromas were preserved because of the cool summer and the impeccable quality of the harvesting produced a high flying vintage.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2014

    From the very first tastings of the blending, the distinct homogeneity of the batches was striking. It is the Sauvignon vintage par excellence with a mineral quality that would make our friends from Sancerre jealous!
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 75% Sauvignon, 25% Semillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13°
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2013


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2013, unlike any previous year.
    A cold stormy spring, a very sunny summer and a late ripening of the grapes. Late harvests recalling the 80s or before. Extremely low yields (the lowest since 1991). 2013 gave the winegrowers cause for worry at the moment of flowering but a steady sun and lack of rain in the summer saved the vintage. More pickers were hired (30%) to speed up the picking and select the best grapes in the vineyard and in the vat cellar.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2013

    The conditions for the 2013 vintage, like most all late vintages were favourable for the production of an excellent white wine. The Sauvignon batches are full of character, notably those planted on limestone soil giving a fine mineral quality. The length on the palate is remarkable.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 75% Sauvignon, 25% Semillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 12.5°
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2012


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2012, a year marked by the whims of the weather but in the end things got back to normal
    Cold rainy periods alternating with warm dry moments. A vigorous vine tamed by early summer tasks. Development of grapes slowed down by low temperatures, but followed by practically no summer rainfall which made up for lost time and boosted the maturation and concentration processes.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2012

    The characteristic of the white vintage is marked by volume on the palate and a generous structure. We find the essential aromatic characteristics of the Sauvignon (box wood and citrus fruits) without being caricatural. Semillon batches were particularly tasty with a hint of apricot and volume on the palate.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 70% Sauvignon, 30% Sémillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13.5°
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2011


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2011, a winegrower’s vintage
    Passing directly from winter to summer resulted in inhabitual early ripening and lovely flowering as early as mid-May. July and August not very sunny, indeed wet. 2011 vintage was not an easy vintage. It required extra supervision and real savoir faire on the part of the winegrower. However in spite of the unusual weather the white wines are astonishing and the red wines are great successes.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2011

    The coolness that came at the time of the maturing of the white grapes determined the fine acidity and aromatic freshness of the 2011 Sauvignon and Semillon wines.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 70% Sauvignon, 30% Sémillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13.5°
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2010


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2010, exceptional.
    After showering 2009 with praise, it was difficult to announce that 2010 was going to be even better. Today there is no doubt at all that 2010 has become part of the legend of the great Bordeaux vintages. An exceptionally dry summer with moderate hot spells played a large part in its crafting.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2010

    The white wine is bursting with fruit and is remarkably suave, even more vibrant than the 2009 vintage.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 75% Sauvignon, 25% Sémillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13.5°
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2009


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2009, a long awaited vintage.
    Remarkable flowering and a very good summer followed by dream harvesting when each variety and plot could be picked at their optimal oenological maturity.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2009

    An excellent vintage for Semillon grapes, powerful and flavoursome.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 70% Sauvignon, 30% Sémillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13°
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2008


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2008, the hallmark of the climate in Bordeaux.
    There are some years when the climate in Bordeaux is erratic because of the proximity to the ocean and 2008 was one of those years. Nothing to worry about. The vine is a wonderful plant that can adapt to all temperate climates if it is cared for by a good winegrower. A rather wet spring limited yields, the July drought maintained a favourable water stress and the freshness at the end of the summer preserved the aromas and guaranteed slow maturation.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2008

    Splendid. The Sauvignon grapes, sweet, acidic and fruity, the Semillon grapes of exceptional roundness.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 70% Sauvignon, 30% Sémillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13°
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2007


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2007, Bordeaux plays its classics.
    The winter of 2007 was not very harsh and April was particularly warm causing the vines to take off very quickly without being early. Mixed weather lasted until the harvest which was blessed by a long sunny period.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2007

    The sweet, acidic and extremely aromatic Semillon and Sauvignon grapes showed once again that cool summers are good for white wines.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 70% Sauvignon, 30% Sémillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13°
  • Château Carbonnieux White 2006


    Special characteristics of the vintage

    2006, a contrasting climate.
    This year was marked by cool spells interspersed with periods of such heat rarely experienced on our oceanic type 25th parallel. The harvest strategy played an important role in the result of this vintage.

    Château Carbonnieux White 2006

    The 2006 white wines have great mineral and fruity qualities, dense and sophisticated.
    Ageing : 10 months in barrels and wooden casks (25% new oak)
    Blending : 70% Sauvignon, 30% Sémillon
    % Alc. Vol. : 13°

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