2016 Carbonnieux Blanc
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Carbonnieux Blanc feels a little simplistic at first, and much more backward than expected, offering greengage and light green apple aromas. The palate is well balanced with a slightly nutty/smoky opening, but it does not quite kick on and is missing the tension and precision of its peers. This bottle is rather disappointing compared to two examples tasted a year ago. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
An outstanding white, the 2016 Château Carbonnieux Blanc has a tight, slightly reductive style in its lime, citrus zest, and mineral-like aromas and flavors. These flow to a medium-bodied, elegant white that has bracing acidity yet good fruit. It needs a year or two of bottle age to come together, but it’s beautiful.
The 2016 Carbonnieux Blanc has a generous bouquet of apple peel, lemon verbena and ginger scents that gain intensity in the glass. The palate is slightly bitter on the entry, but there is commendable weight and concentration, and the delicate peachy finish lingers in the mouth. This is a solid showing, and it should offer a decade's worth of drinking pleasure.
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.