Château Carbonnieux Pessac-Léognan blanc 2022 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Owned since 1956 by the charming Perrin family, this great classic of the Pessac-Léognan appellation is appealing both for its volume of production, especially in white, and for the consistency and typicality of its style. The very pale whites are fresh, lively, and exceptionally refined, but since 2009 they have gained in richness. The reds have gained enormously in power and density and rival the very best.

Decanter

About wine:

A concentrate of bright lemon and lime with hints of orange and grapefruit—the acidity of citrus, liveliness, and bitterness combine to give a nuanced and captivating palate that carries the flavor through to a long finish. It is a little tense and strict, less fleshy and open, but it is well crafted with intensity and detail. I like the style and setting, and this wine maintains interest with appetizing acidity and just enough fruitiness to balance it. Fresh and lively. HVE3 certified. Tasted twice. 2023-2030

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

Fermented and aged in barrels, this is an energetic Pessac with a subtle nose, barely toasted, releasing a lovely floral and fruity bouquet (white fruits, citrus). A beautiful acidity structures this slender white, "very Sauvignon," softened by the barrel but without unnecessary fat, and whose zesty finish leaves a lemony trail with a delicate bitterness. 2025-2030

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

Carbonnieux Blanc 2022 reveals a delicate bouquet with aromas of lemon, jasmine, lime blossom, smoke, pear, and peach, followed by a medium-bodied to full-bodied palate that is fleshy and concentrated, deep and harmonious, with a vibrant fruity core and a zesty, mineral finish. Built around a racy acidity, this is a high-class Carbonnieux Blanc that is made to age gracefully. The harvest began early, on August 16.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

The very pale color reminds us of the legend of "Carbonnieux mineral water," the name under which the Benedictine monks who owned the vineyard are said to have sold their white wine to the Sultan of Constantinople... The aroma and flavor are nuanced, apricot-like, lively, almost teasing. The texture develops lightly but with sweet accents, in a spirit of unrestrained indulgence. A great success for the appellation's largest white wine production, in a style that is both "classic" (something indefinable, very 18th century...) and unique and personal.

About the estate:

Brothers Éric and Philibert Perrin, along with their sister Christine Lescuyer, continue to develop this important estate, which has evolved considerably over the past decade, consistently producing delicious wines. The new generation is arriving, and the 2019 vintage was brilliantly vinified by the young Andréa Perrin. Elegant and refreshing, the whites have gained in expressiveness while becoming richer on the palate. They do not age indefinitely, and we recommend tasting them within the first five years after bottling. However, some great vintages can hold magical surprises when cellared. The reds, serious and consistent, although often austere in their youth, have also gained in body density. They are never as good as between five and ten years of age. The vineyard is continuing its restructuring program with the replacement of Sauvignon Blanc on the beautiful gravel terroirs with Cabernet Sauvignon.

James Suckling

About wine:

A typical Carbonnieux, with aromas of apple and oyster shell, medium to full body, and a delicious finish. A very good wine.

Terre de Vins

About wine:

Elegance reigns supreme in this wine with aromas of frangipane, lemon pear, and lemon verbena. Its delicacy rests on subtle balance and complexity on the palate: enjoy the tangy lemon notes through to the salty finish, with hints of lime and a touch of minerality. Utterly graceful.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About wine:

Bright yellow color with green highlights. Refined nose with aromas reminiscent of lemon and mandarin zest, physalis, notes of white flowers, and aromatic herbs. On the palate, very juicy character, fine acidity, sweet fruit, and notes of aromatic herbs.