Château Carbonnieux Pessac-Léognan rouge 2020 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Owned since 1956 by the charming Perrin family, this great classic of the Pessac-Léognan appellation is appealing both for its volume of production, especially in white, and for the consistency and typicality of its style. The very pale whites are fresh, lively, and exceptionally refined, but since 2009 they have gained in richness. The reds have gained enormously in power and density and rival the very best.

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

A beautiful deep garnet color, the 2020 Carbonnieux is sparing with its aromas, revealing notes of black fruit, incense, licorice, and toast after aeration. On the palate, after a supple attack, we discover a fleshy, sappy wine that is still quite tight on the finish. Promising. 2027–2033

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Brothers Éric and Philibert Perrin, along with their sister Christine Lescuyer, continue to develop this important estate, which has evolved considerably over the past decade, consistently producing delicious wines. The new generation is arriving, and the 2019 vintage was brilliantly vinified by the young Andréa Perrin. Elegant and refreshing, the whites have gained in expressiveness while becoming richer on the palate. They do not age indefinitely, and we recommend tasting them within the first five years after bottling. However, some great vintages can hold magical surprises when cellared. The reds, serious and consistent, although often austere in their youth, have also gained in body density. They are never as good as between five and ten years of age. The vineyard is continuing its restructuring program with the replacement of Sauvignon Blanc on the beautiful gravel terroirs with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

Sample in barrels. The Perrin family's wine has a structured character with crisp tannins and blackcurrant notes, juicy and bright acidity, and great potential. The wine's richness will develop well.

Vinous

About wine:

Carbonnieux 2020 is darkly beautiful. Black cherry, gravel, incense, tobacco, smoke, mocha, and charcuterie develop as this deep, layered Pessac-Léognan reveals its considerable personality. I would give the tannins a few years to soften. The blend of fruity richness and energy is irresistible. 2026–2040

James Suckling

About wine:

Blackcurrant, raspberry, crushed stone, bark, and black mushrooms. Licorice too. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins, mineral and intense. A tangy aftertaste that is not lacking in spice. Very structured. A solid wine from this estate. Best after 2027.

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

From a region that excelled in 2020, Château Carbonnieux 2020 boasts a deep purple color, accompanied by a striking bouquet of ripe blackcurrant, leaf tobacco, burnt earth, and graphite. The palate is rich, concentrated, and medium-bodied to full-bodied, with a beautiful mid-palate and ripe, solid tannins. This exceptional wine deserves 3 to 4 years of bottle aging and will evolve for 10 to 15 years in a refrigerated cellar. 2023 - 2038

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The nose is fruity and offers power (in finesse/airy power), elegance, a certain intensity, and an airy side. There are notes of bright blackberry, fleshy Garriguette strawberry and, more subtly, violet, combined with hints of pulpy red berries, delicate touches of Timut pepper, tea and nutmeg, and very subtle hints of toast, smoke and spices. The palate is fruity, balanced, full of finesse, deliciousness, tension, a juicy/tangy structure, power (with finesse/control), a slightly restrained side, density and depth. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant, fleshy/fresh strawberryfresh strawberries and, more subtly, fleshy/ripe red fruits, combined with hints of violet, purple plum, subtle touches of camphor, as well as hints of tea, nutmeg, cardamom, subtle hints of toast and an imperceptible hint of bergamot. A discreet hint of salinity on the finish/persistence (adds smoothness/richness). The tannins are precise, elegant, and finely firm.