Carbonnieux rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2023

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/31/2026

A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot aged 12 months in 30% new French oak, the 2023 Château Carbonnieux is a rocking little gem of a wine that's well worth your time. Cassis, graphite, spicy wood, and smoke all shine on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a ripe, round, layered mouthfeel, beautiful and building tannins, and a great finish. It's a nicely concentrated, classic, layered Pessac that has serious depth and length. It's going to cruise for two decades in cold cellars. Drink 2026-2046.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92

byJeff Levethe3/30/2026

Black cherries, raspberries, strawberries, flowers, and a nice hint of tobacco create the perfume. The medium-bodied palate is soft, polished, and fresh, finishing with chocolate-covered cherries, strawberries and a touch of mint on the fruity, backend. The wine blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2027-2045.

Vinous

87

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

The 2023 Carbonnieux has a distant bouquet, dark berry fruit mixed with gravel that feels far away. By that word, "distant," it means that the aromatics are not inclined to engage or interact, occupy a different room. The palate is medium-bodied with a decent entry, well-defined and the oak is nicely integrated. It feels rather dry toward the finish that is a bit concerning.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Tobacco, black currants, graphite and cigar box. The palate is medium-bodied, with restrained, delineated fruit and precise, focused tannins. Tight and elegant. Needs time. Better in 2028.

My Bettane + Desseauve

93-94

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Réussi et dans le style Léognan dans sa droiture, sa netteté, un corps en grand progrès par rapport à la décennie précédente. Vivement recommandé pour son excellent rapport qualité-prix.

Yvesbeck.wine

93-94

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Im Laufe der Verkostungen hat Carbonnieux an Ausdruck und Details gewonnen. Er bestärkt mich in meinem Ansatz, Fassproben mehrmals zu probieren. Wir dürfen nicht vergessen, dass bei der Vorstellung der Unterlagen eines Athleten immer seine beste Zeit erwähnt wird! Das Gleiche gilt für Wein, bei mir zumindest. Das Bouquet offenbart mineralische Nuancen und vor allem Noten von roten Beeren, die für Frische stehen. Der Wein ist schlank und elegant, linear, harmonisch und wird von samtenen Tanninen unterstützt, die dem gesamten Gaumen Halt geben. Ich verweise auch auf die Säurestruktur, die Muskeln und Frische verleiht. Ein eleganter, schmackhafter Wein, den man schon in seiner Jugend genießen kann.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-93

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

I loved the 2023 Château Carbonnieux, a ripe, textured, medium-bodied effort that has beautiful red and black fruits, some floral, spicy nuances, terrific overall balance, and velvety tannins. It brings considerable elegance and finesse, with plenty of fruit.

The Wine Independent

87-89

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/8/2024

The 2023 Carbonnieux has a deep garnet-purple color. It gallops out with ready-to-go notes of blackcurrants and blackberries, followed by hints of pencil shavings, wild sage, and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is approachably soft and lively, with just enough expressive black fruit and an earthy finish. This is a classic Pessac-Leognan.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Flowers, black raspberries, smoke, tobacco, and a sprig of mint create the perfume. The medium-bodied palate is soft, polished, fresh, racy, and round, finishing with chocolate-covered cherries, espresso, and a touch of spice on the sweet, and fruity, backend. The wine blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. 14% ABV. 3.64. Drink from 2027-2045. 91-93 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

Medium to medium plus intensity ruby, brambled fruit on the nose, great appellation typicity even on the aromatics, with a balanced welcome and a hint of grilled oak. Cloves, gunsmoke, campfire, sage, slate tannins, the kind of drag through the palate that keeps you engaged, a true En Primeur sample where the construction is clear, and gives the reassurance of a wine with more to say and plenty of ageing ahead of it. Good.

Vinous

91-93

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 Carbonnieux is a very pretty, promising wine. The open-knit, floral bouquet is immediately alluring, Medium in body and gracious, but with plenty of depth, Carbonnieux is beautifully refined in 2023. I admire its balance and poise. Hints of spice, crushed flowers and tobacco lift a core of dark blue- and black-toned fruits.

Vinous

84-86

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Carbonnieux has a relatively light bouquet with black cherries, wild strawberry and earthy notes, and touches of mushroom, though it is not as defined as I would like. The palate is medium-bodied with angular tannins on the entry, light red fruit but it needs more cohesion and flesh on the finish. I am not convinced by this showing I'm afraid. Tasted twice.

Falstaff

90

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

Strong ruby, purple reflections, brightening at the edge. Delicate notes of nougat and coconut, dark wild berries, ripe plums. Medium body, dark cherries, somewhat vegetal tannins, subtle acidity, leafy touch in the finish, red berryish aftertaste.

Wine Advocate

91-93

byYohan Castaingthe4/26/2024

The 2023 Carbonnieux reveals aromas of dark wild berries, mulberries, cassis, spices and menthol intertwined with violet notes with aeration. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textured with structured tannins, it’s lively and rich with powdery tannins and a fresh, elegant finish. This blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot will be matured in one-third new oak.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

This is a solid Carbonnieux with blackberry, forest-floor and crushed-stone character. It’s medium-bodied with firm, muscular tannins and a cool and bright finish. Better than 2022?

Vertdevin

93

byJonathan Chicheportichethe4/24/2024