Château Carbonnieux, Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France, 2021

Overview of the Wine
The history of Carbonnieux goes back a very long way, and records show that wine was made there at least as early as the 12th century. Benedictine monks from Sainte-Croix abbey in Bordeaux replanted and renovated the estate in the 18th century. They took advantage of the exceptionally pale, clear color of the white wine to label it as "Carbonnieux mineral water", which they then proceeded to ship to the sultan of Turkey.

Marc Perrin acquired and restored the chateau in 1956. His son, Antony, currently manages the estate. The gravelly soil at Carbonnieux is perfectly drained thanks to the Eau Blanche stream that carries away any excess water. The 85 hectares of vines are evenly divided between red and white wine varieties. The white wine is fermented and aged in barrel for 10 months. The red wine is aged for 15 to 18 months in barrel, depending on the quality and characteristics of the vintage.

Grape / Blend
65% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon

Origin
Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Château 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-Léognan 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 classé” 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.

94 Points - Vinous
The 2021 Carbonnieux Blanc has a relatively spicy bouquet, very slight touches of muscat filtering through the citric fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy entry and good weight. Persistent in the mouth, leaving behind a long, saline aftertaste. This is another excellent dry white Bordeaux.

92 Points - James Suckling
Medium-bodied with a crisp and fresh array of citrus and apple fruit. Hints of stones and hazelnuts. Fresh and lightly creamy finish.

91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Notions of citrus zest, fresh mint, peach, pastry cream and Sauvignon botanicals introduce the 2021 Carbonnieux Blanc, a medium-bodied, satiny wine that's ample and precise. It's an attractive example of the modern school of white Bordeaux, even if anyone who has tasted older vintages from the 1960s or 1970s—when the wines were less Sauvignon-driven and aromatic but more textural and sapid—will inevitably be disappointed.

91 Points - Decanter 
Mouthwatering and vibrant, zingy and intense on the palate with the shot of lemon and lime juice, creamy peach and apricot and touch of spiced vanilla on the finish. Long and satisfying still with energy and precision all the way through.

Product size: 750ml