Château Carbonnieux 2010

Extremely soft, up-front, classic Pessac-Leognan, the 2010 Carbonnieux possesses plenty of unsmoked cigar tobacco, roasted herbs, lavender, sweet kirsch and black currant fruit and sweet tannin. Seductive, lush and sensual, it is rather Burgundian in its elegant, savory, evolved style. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.

Intense, with dark, smoldering tobacco and charcoal leading the way, along with densely layered currant preserves, fig paste and blackberry coulis flavors. The finish lets the pure fruit sing, while a violet note waits in reserve. Best from 2014 through 2024.

Pure, dark, intense cassis. Firm, savoury and powerful, yet it forms a harmonious whole. Dense, chewy finish and still has freshness. (JH)

On the light, elegant side of the style range with ripe, fresh cherries and black raspberries, earth and tobacco characteristics. The wine finishes with fresh, spicy, bright red berries.

Dark, bright, ruby purple. The nose is very elegant, showing some new oak, vanilla, roasted coffee, blackcurrant and dark berries; the palate is dense without heaviness, elegant, dark fruit, bright freshness and very good length; should develop really well; elegant and stylish.

Dark, dense garnet with a violet core. Beautiful bouquet of licorice, cassis and blackberries, with underlying tobacco and a subtly milky sweetness. Fleshy on the palate, muscular tannins, still a bit forward. The Carbonnieux team is on a winning streak and has the best young wine of the last 20 years in barrels.

Dark, dense garnet with a purple core. Beautiful bouquet, showing licorice, cassis and blackberries, a touch of tobacco underneath, and a subtly milky sweetness forming over the nose. Fleshy on the palate, muscular, yet with well-supporting tannins, still a bit forward. The Carbonnieux team is on a winning track and has produced the best young wine of the last 20 years. (18/20). 12: Dark wine-red with ruby reflections. Open bouquet with a slightly gluey impression, ripe fruit, currently showing a bit alcoholic. Only on the palate does its fairly great class come to the fore, rich extract, the tannins are powerful yet already tuned in their astringency. Brilliant Carbonnieux. (18/20). 19: Eric Perrin gave us a bottle for dinner at the Auberge des Vignes. Still young and sturdy. Very good for Cabonnieux, but not quite so great for 2010. (18/20).

Restrained, spicy bouquet, blue berries, mocha, nutshells. Velvety, balanced, powerful palate with good fruit, fine-grained tannins, intense aromatics, full finish. 17/20 2016 - 2028

Great quality, some austere tannins on the opening beats, and a wave of cocoa bean, cassis, black tea, leather, cloves and smoked thyme.

Disappointing when tasted from the bottle. The nose is indeed fruity, but with a touch of alcohol. The palate is flavorful, yet a bit light. Medium length.

90-92 Toasty aromas on a wine that at this stage is dried by wood. The fruit is at a distance here, although the acidity is very present.