chateau carbonnieux rouge pessac-leognan 2020 750ml

The 2020 Carbonnieux has turned out nicely, like its white counterpart, exhibiting aromas of plums, cassis and cherries mingled with hints of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, rich and gourmand, with powdery tannins and a succulent core of fruit, it's an elegant effort from this large Pessac estate.

— 92 PointsWine Advocate, April 6, 2023

Founded in the 13th century, Chateau Carbonnieux is located in the Pessac-Leognan appellation and is one of the oldest wine estates in Bordeaux. In 1956, Marc Perrin acquired the chateau, which became a Classified Growth in 1959 for its red and white wines.

The vineyard

The Chateau Carbonnieux vineyard is divided into 119 separate plots spread over a mosaic of terroirs ranging from clay-limestone soils to Gunzian gravel. The 59 hectares dedicated to red grape varieties are, as the rest of the vineyard, labeled High Environmental Value Level 3. The vineyard is managed on a plot-by-plot basis with sustainable agriculture practices.

The vintage

Mild and rainy, the autumn-winter seasons of 2019-2020 favored an early bud break, which occurred 10–15 days ahead of schedule. Homogeneous flowering preceded a rapid and consistent fruit set, without coulure or millerandage. Beginning around July 20, veraison was beautifully homogeneous. Despite the low levels of rainfall between June 17 and September 21, the property's vineyard withstood water stress. Beginning quite early, the harvest yielded fully ripened grapes in great health. While the yields were low, as a result of climatic conditions, the juices were concentrated and the skins thick, revealing a tannic structure that is present but not excessive. The 2020 vintage will also be remembered for the many innovations that took place at the property, such as the extension of areas cultivated with Organic Agriculture, the adoption of tillage as a default practice (in order to promote a sustainable rooting of the vines) and the development of a very precise parcel-by-parcel vinification.

Vinification and aging

Harvested manually, the grapes were sorted at the harvest, as well as before and after destemming. Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats was followed by aging for 15 to 18 months in Bordeaux barrels, 40% of which were of new oak.

The blend

The Chateau Carbonnieux red 2020 was made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (5%), Petit Verdot (5%).