Carbonnieux Rouge 2022 (750ML)

92-94 WA / 93 JA / 93 DE / 92-93 JS / 90-92 JD / 88-90 WI

From this 92-hectare estate, the 2022 Carbonnieux is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, matured in 40% new oak in 225-liter barrels. The bouquet offers up elegant and vibrant aromas of cassis, blueberry, iris, violet and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is perfectly balanced, concentrated and fleshy ,with velvety tannins and excellent concentration. This is an excellent Carbonnieux—indeed, it may be one of the best of modern times. - Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate

Sweet blueberry fruit on the opening, with smoked cedar oak. Black chocolate, slate, intense blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, this is fully ripe, with a bitter edge to the phenolics, but enjoyable and balanced by juicy acidities. 40% new oak, 32hl/h yield, harvest September 6 to 23. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Plump and nicely juice, though quite serious too with the liquorice and clove spiced tannins coming in fairly quickly but they do give the structure and intensity that is so appealing in 2022 still with a sleek frame. Dense and ripe, but still with cool blue fruit and overall refreshing aspects. Just a little knitted down and compact right now but good potential here. The tannins are great, really juicy, powdery and fleshy with some spiced edges on the finish. This is enjoyable. 5% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

Soft and juicy red with blackberry and blueberry character. Medium body. Velvety tannins. Medium finish. Could use a little more at the end, but nicely focused. - James Suckling

Showing the ripe, powerful style of the vintage, the 2022 Château Carbonnieux offers lots of up-front red and black fruits as well as some classic Graves graphite, earth, and spice. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has fine tannins and a great finish. - Jeb Dunnuck

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Carbonnieux Rouge leaps with open-knit black and red cherry scents, followed by hints of forest floor, wild sage, and pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is generously fruity, with plush tannins and a red berry lift on the finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent