Bettane & Desseauve 94 / 100 by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017 Si on aime le sauvignon un peu tendu on trouvera ce carbonnieux fort réussi. Nous pensons que le cru peut faire encore plus complexe et mémorable.
Wine Advocate 88-90 / 100 byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017 The Carbonnieux 2016 Blanc has a gentle nose of peardrop, citrus peel and orange blossom: attractive if just missing the race and drive of either the 2014 and 2015. The palate is well balanced with lime and a touch of orange zest on the entry. There is good depth of fruit here and a pleasant saline finish—it just needs more acidity.
Wine Spectator 89-92 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/28/2017 Fresh and open, with a lime pith note giving the mix of verbena, melon rind and tarragon flavors good cut.—J.M.
Jean-Marc QUARIN 15 / 20 byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/28/2017 Jaune pâle. Nez fruité, vanillé, sentant bon le sauvignon. Bouche fruitée, agréable, savoureuse, mais légère. Longueur moyenne.
The Wine Cellar Insider 90 / 100 byJeff Levethe4/27/2017 Light, fresh and still refreshing, the juicy mix of lemon, tart green apple, and lime rind is already easy to drink.
Vinous 89-92 / 100 byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017 Scents of slate, pear, green apple, mint and herbs give the 2016 Carbonnieux Blanc much of its distinctive personality. Bright and nuanced, with good depth, the 2016 hits all the right notes. This is terrific.
Decanter.com 90 / 100 byJane Ansonthe4/25/2017 Clever use of extremely subtle oak that gives structure and body without being intrusive. This doesn't have the mineral directness and depth of, say 2011 or 2014, but it is a very good wine that will bring lots of pleasure. It majors on white flowers, touches of honeysuckle and white pepper spicing. Christophe Ollivier has taken the baton from Denis Dubourdieu who consulted here for 28 years. Drinking Window 2018 - 2030
Jancis Robinson 16 / 20 byJancis Robinsonthe4/25/2017 Bit stinky and reduced on the nose. (Bordeaux University is experimenting with sulphur use here.) Fruit lacks vitality. Solid and stolid but not much fun. Quite long though, so perhaps it will improve? Drink 2020-202416+
matthewjukes.com 16 / 20 byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017 (65 Sauvignon Blanc, 35 Semillon) | 25% new oak There is an oily, fishy element here which I don’t like at all and it gets in the way of the fruit. Perhaps this will disappear but I worry that it will remain. 16+?
Wine Enthusiast 93-95 / 100 byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017 Barrel Sample. Tightly crisp, this coiled, nervy wine is likely to age well. It has a refreshing, crisp undertone that gives it freshness while just hinting at the warmth of the vintage.
Jamessuckling.com 90-91 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017 Linear and solid white with sliced-apple, pear and lemon character. Full body. Little old style but I like it — as always.