Château Carbonnieux
Red

2023, Precision and dedication
The 2023 vintage was marked by weather conditions relatively in line with long-term averages, both variable and moderate. The arrival of high temperatures at the end of summer allowed optimal ripening. Work focused on the careful selection of harvest dates for each plot.

The wine is dressed in a shimmering ruby robe with slight violet hues. The first nose is both powerful and very refined. Fruity notes of cherries and floral notes of peony intensify after aeration toward black fruits such as blueberry. On the palate, the attack is soft and textured, with a dense and balanced mid-palate. The aromas from the nose are clearly present. The finish is long and fruity. This wine displays all the characteristics of a great Pessac-Léognan wine.

2022, Hot and dry
In spring, bud development was promising and flowering occurred under very good conditions. June saw heavy rainfall, followed by exceptionally hot and dry months in July and August. The vines did not really suffer from the heat, but the grapes eventually lacked water; the berries remained small and concentrated. Yields were therefore low in 2022, but the quality level was very high.

The wine displays a deep ruby color with violet reflections. It reveals aromas of black fruits such as blueberries and blackberries. After aeration, floral aromas of hyacinth and roses, along with spicy notes of licorice, become perceptible. On the palate, the attack is soft, with tannins that build to give a round and balanced structure. The mid-palate is lively, combining texture and freshness, with notes of nutmeg and red fruits.

2021, Against all expectations
The 2021 vintage will remain in the memories of our winegrowers as a source of pride, as they had to outwit the nasty tricks of Mother Nature. About ten nights of frost fighting in April were followed by a typically oceanic summer, mild and humid, favorable to disease development. The precision of our viticultural practices throughout the year made a real difference in 2021. The harvesters were able to bring in very fine grapes with everything one could hope for: sweetness, acidity, very interesting aromatic notes, and normal yields. Against all expectations, 2021 is rich with promise.

The first nose offers a basket of black fruits, blueberries and blackcurrants, very intense. On the palate, one discovers a balanced wine. The black fruits express themselves deliciously with slightly spicy menthol notes. The tannins are noble. Superb freshness underlines the finish, making the wine supple and savory, bringing great pleasure. This wine can be enjoyed both in its youth and certainly after several years of cellaring.

2020, Early and gentle
The particularly mild and rainy autumn-winter of 2019–2020 encouraged early budburst. While France was going into lockdown, the vines were bursting bud 10 to 15 days ahead of schedule. This lead continued throughout the vegetative cycle up to harvest. Rain was almost nonexistent between June 17 and September 21, yet our vines once again showed their remarkable resistance to water stress, thanks to regular soil work. The harvest, although constrained by health measures, posed no difficulty, as the quality of the grapes was sound everywhere and ripeness was well staggered over time.

The superb first nose plunges us unreservedly into essences of fruit and flowers, oscillating between blueberry and violet. One also finds a lovely bouquet of spices, including white pepper and cloves. The palate is very elegant, with a round and silky attack. The balance and precision of this wine are impressive. As the wine fully expresses itself, the fruity and floral notes perceived on the nose reappear with brilliance and delicacy. Its long, fine, and savory finish already shows its ability to age well.

2019, The reward
After two difficult vintages to produce, 2019 closes the decade in remarkable fashion. Uniform budburst, steady vine growth, ideal flowering, followed by drought at the beginning of summer spared the vineyard from sanitary deterioration. At the beginning of August, rain arrived just in time for the benefits of veraison unfolding under the best auspices, and then the sun regained its rights until the end of harvest.

The nose reveals a voluptuous aromatic bouquet with black fruit aromas suggesting smokier notes such as cedar or tobacco, as well as more floral touches like violet. On the palate, 2019 offers a soft and savory attack, with finesse. The wine gradually expresses itself with delicate aromatic impressions of fruit and spices. Barrel aging will further refine this wine, which already appears very promising.

2018, The sun king
The year 2018 began in a difficult way: a hailstorm over part of the vineyard and abundant rain suggested as early as June that, across all grape varieties, quantities would be low. Then, very quickly, the sun king reigned supreme until the end of harvest, giving us magnificent grapes. Lacking quantity, 2018 will nevertheless be a very great year for Carbonnieux!

The robe is magnificent, deep purple. The tannic framework on the palate is rich, long, and soft, fulfilled by a silky, fleshy texture, all in balance. The finish stretches out and reveals the characteristics of a great vintage with beautiful aging potential.

2017, A fierce start
Château Carbonnieux, usually little affected by frost, suffered a severe frost episode on April 27, 28, and 29. Around 50% of the white grape varieties and 30% of the red grape varieties were affected. Yields were low, but fortunately of very fine quality. The harvest was early and sunny.

The nose is very fruity, with clear notes of cherry, blackcurrant, and blackberry. This fruity freshness, which carries through onto the palate, stimulates and lengthens the fine, velvety tannins. The finish is pointed with nuances of cloves and eucalyptus. The wine is balanced and silky.

2016, A winemaker’s delight
Vintages that are both exceptional in quality and generous in volume are very rare, yet 2016 is one of them. The result of precise daily work combined with weather full of pleasant surprises, 2016 made it possible to produce a fine harvest, with grapes of remarkable quality.

The attack on the palate is silky, delicate, enveloping. The mid-palate is full, structured, and dense. Pleasure rises crescendo throughout the tasting, and the finish is of remarkable length. 2016 clearly belongs among the greats!

2015, The magic of “5”
Bordeaux remembers the mythical 1945, 1955, 1975, or more recently 1985, 1995, and 2005. Perfect weather throughout the vegetative cycle allows 2015 to enter the legend of these wonderful vintages ending in “5.”

The color is intense and deep, tending toward purple. The nose is expressive and fruity. On the palate, the attack is fresh, then evolves into a broad tannic structure worthy of great wines for aging. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the blend and brings volume and remarkable length on the palate. Merlot and Petit Verdot lend aromatic complexity and a certain indulgence to the whole.

2014, From doubt to certainty, a vintage saved by the sun god…
The climatic reversal between summer and autumn 2014 remains unique in the annals of Bordeaux and could only delight the region’s winegrowers. The 2014 vintage was marked by early flowering and very slow ripening. The cool summer, which preserved the full range of aromas, and the impeccable quality of the harvest produced a vintage of the highest order.

The ripeness and structure of the 2014 reds are strong predictions for their future tastings and aging potential.

2013, A year like no other
A cold and troubled spring, a very sunny summer, and delayed fruit ripening. Late harvest dates recalling the 1980s or beyond. Extremely low yields (the lowest since 1991). 2013 gave winemakers gray hairs at flowering time, but the consistency of the sunshine, the absence of summer rain, and reinforced harvest teams (+30%) saved the vintage.

Once the meteorological fears had passed, this vintage proved itself worthy of the great Bordeaux classics, like 2008, with fruit, structure, and length.

2012, A complicated year in which everything fell back into place
An alternation of cold, rainy periods and warm, dry spells. Vigorous vines kept in check by green work. Grape development initially slowed by low temperatures, followed by almost nonexistent summer rainfall, which made up for lost time and favored ripening and concentration.

The Merlots revealed themselves during pump-overs with a very beautiful deep and intense color, while the Cabernets were fruity and full of character. The 2012 blend, with a touch of Petit Verdot, produced an extremely pleasing vintage full of charm at the table.

2011, A winemaker’s vintage
A direct transition from winter to summer resulted in unusual earliness and lovely flowering from mid-May onward. July and August were not very sunny and at times humid. The 2011 vintage was not an easy one. It required increased vineyard monitoring and true winemaker expertise. And yet, despite this unusual climate, the white wines are astonishing and the red wines are very successful.

The 2011 berries were small and rich in anthocyanins. The fine weather in September once again favored the Cabernet Sauvignons, which were able to complete a slow ripening process.

2010, Exceptional
After a 2009 showered with praise, it was difficult to announce that 2010 would be even better. Today, there is no longer any doubt that 2010 has entered the legend of Bordeaux’s great vintages. The exceptionally dry summer with moderate heat contributed greatly to its stature.

A deep color, complexity and intensity of fruit, freshness, and tannic density that suggest enormous potential. A wine for very long aging.

2009, A highly anticipated vintage
Remarkable flowering and a very beautiful summer followed by dream harvest conditions, allowing each grape variety and plot to be picked at its optimum oenological ripeness.

A great red vintage, both suave and complex.

2008, The signature of the Bordeaux climate
In some years, Bordeaux experiences capricious weather linked to its oceanic proximity, and 2008 is one of them. Nothing alarming: the vine is a wonderful plant that can adapt to all temperate weather if worked by a good winegrower. A rather wet spring limited yields, the dryness of July maintained favorable water stress, and the coolness of late summer preserved aromas and slow ripening.

A very lovely vintage in the line of the great Bordeaux classics.

2007, Bordeaux plays its classics
The winter of 2007 was mild and April particularly warm, which caused a spectacular start to vegetation without actually being early. Mixed weather persisted until harvest, which, on the other hand, benefited from a long sunny period.

Cabernet Sauvignons are the great winners of this vintage, especially those picked a little late. A safe bet that revealed itself after 6 years of aging.

2006, A contrasting climate
This year was marked by an alternation of cool periods and intense heat of unusual amplitude for our oceanic-type latitude. Harvest strategy played an important role in the result of this vintage.

The major challenge of 2006 was coming after an exceptional 2005. Yet in 2006, the red wines are magnificent and display great aromatic complexity.