Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc (2016) 375ml

Chateau Carbonnieux white is a legendary wine. It is said that in the 18th century it was introduced to the Sultan of Constantinople's palace because of its clarity and was called "mineral water from Carbonnieux", thus defying the Islamic law. The clay–limestone of Garonne gravel found in the Pessac-Leognan Appellation certainly produces the best dry white wines in the Bordeaux region. When young, Carbonnieux white wines are delightfully refreshing and pure with a fruity, floral intensity. When mature they develop hints of dried and candied fruits giving scope for a large range of gastronomic pairings. The batches which will form part of this "cru classe" will be blended so as to induce an excellent complicity between the grape varieties. The chosen Semillon grapes will add structure to the liveliness of the Sauvignon grapes by giving them roundness and volume on the palate.

Tasting Notes

93 Wine Enthusiast
Lightly herbal, this is a crisp and bright wine. The strong structural element will allow the wine to age, with a textured character and perfumed acidity at the end.

92 Decanter
This wine has Pessac typicity, on the high-gloss side of things. Its pretty high in Sauvignon/Semillon character on the nose, which is good, and it has clear typicity, although the oak overshadows the minerality. It has a gourmet ending, with an apricot and honeysuckle twist, as well as high acidity.

92 Wine Spectator
Very fresh, with lovely verbena, honeysuckle and jasmine notes leading the way, backed by racy meringue, yellow apple and melon rind flavors, showing a very late flash of oyster shell detail. Drink now through 2022.

91 James Suckling
Linear and solid white with sliced-apple, pear and lemon character. Full body. Little old style but I like it — as always. Barrel Sample: 90-91 Points

91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Carbonnieux 2016 Blanc features fresh white peaches, Bosc pears and honeysuckle with touches of lemongrass and yuzu. Medium-bodied, refreshing and with a lovely intensity of apple and pears layers, it finishes on a mineral note.

90 Jeb Dunnuck
An outstanding white, the 2016 Château Carbonnieux Blanc has a tight, slightly reductive style in its lime, citrus zest, and mineral-like aromas and flavors. These flow to a medium-bodied, elegant white that has bracing acidity yet good fruit. It needs a year or two of bottle age to come together, but it’s beautiful. Rating: 90+