CHÂTEAU CARBONNIEUX Rouge Grand Cru Classe Pessac-Leognan 2023 Bottle

Description

Château Carbonnieux stands as a historic pillar of the Pessac-Léognan region, renowned for its gravel-rich terroir and centuries of winemaking excellence. The 2023 vintage was defined by a challenging wet spring, followed by a remarkably hot, dry late summer that ensured optimal phenolic ripeness alongside preserved acidity. Comprising 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, this red reveals a sophisticated bouquet of blackcurrant, cedar, and classic smoky minerals. On the palate, it exhibits an elegant, medium-bodied structure with silky tannins and a vibrant core of dark fruit. The finish is persistent and poised, beautifully showcasing the estate’s signature flinty character and refined balance. This is a classic expression of the vintage, built for graceful ageing.

*****

JAMES SUCKLING 94 points
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.
Jacobo García Andrade
Senior Editor

THE WINE ADVOCATE 93 points
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
Drink Date: 2027 - 2043
The 2023 Carbonnieux has turned out very well, revealing aromas of cassis, mulberries, flowers and spices, lifted by a discreet note of fresh licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, ample and sapid, it is enveloping, with good depth at the core framed by powdery tannins, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. Combining a gourmand profile with a classical sense of balance and structure, it represents very good value.
Published: Apr 09, 2026

VINOUS 91-93 points
Drinking window: 2027 - 2038
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.
Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: April 2024

DECANTER 91 points
Tasted by: Panos Kakaviatos (at Bordeaux, 18 Apr 2024)
Drinking Window: 2027 - 2037
Brambly red fruit and leafy tobacco freshness, delivered in a medium-bodied palate. And while the freshness appeals, I sense a slight hollowness in the mid palate. Ageing should fill in the gap, but a conservative score for now.