2014 Château Carbonnieux
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Carbonnieux has a pleasant yet not complex nose, with black fruit, warm gravel and forest floor scents. The palate is medium-bodied with simple brambly red fruit laced with leather and sage, just a touch of spice box on the finish. It's just a bit unexciting - another 2014 that has matured faster than expected since I last tasted it. Disappointingly evolved. Tasted non-blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Carbonnieux is not showing as I expected although I tasted another bottle soon afterwards in Bordeaux. This is more representative with those sous-bois , warm gravel scents permeating the aromatics and the palate alive with tension and a sense of energy. Perhaps it is not quite as precise as I remember although there remains impressive length to complete this classic Pessac-Léognan. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Tasted blind. Rather tight and austere. Where’s the fruit? Bit thin. (JR)
The 2014 Carbonnieux Rouge has a delightful, clean and pure bouquet with gravel and sous-bois scents neatly interwoven into the blackberry fruit. It feels quite understated, but it gains intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a keen line of acidity that lends this impressive tension and vibrancy. There is not enormous length here, but the sorbet-like freshness wins you over. Keep in the cellar for 2-3 more years and then enjoy over the next 15-18 years.
About the producer
This estate is one of Bordeaux’s oldest, with vines planted here since at least the 13th century. Over three generations, the Perrin family has completely renovated the estate and raised quality here significantly.