Château Carbonnieux 2023

Distinctive nose, a hint of rubber, charred wood, restrained fruit; slender palate, good balance of fruit and structure, modest length.

Brambly red fruit and leafy tobacco freshness, delivered on a medium-bodied palate. And while the freshness appeals, I sense a slight hollowness in the mid-palate. Ageing should fill in the gap, but a conservative score for now.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Reticent on the nose with a hint of dark fruit. Fruit on the attack with a bit of persistence but overall a little under key. (JL)

Black cherries, raspberries, strawberries, flowers, and a nice hint of tobacco create the perfume. The medium-bodied palate is soft, polished, and fresh, finishing with chocolate-covered cherries, strawberries and a touch of mint on the fruity, backend. The wine blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2027-2045.

Playful red-berry bouquet, dried thyme and light tobacco. On the elegant palate with a soft texture, supporting verve and medium body. Focused, finely aromatic finish with morello cherries, tarragon and a delicately crumbly astringency; rounded.

Medium to medium-plus intensity ruby, brambled fruit on the nose, great appellation typicity even on the aromatics, with a balanced welcome and a hint of grilled oak. Cloves, gunsmoke, campfire, sage, slate tannins, the kind of drag through the palate that keeps you engaged, a true En Primeur sample where the construction is clear, and gives the reassurance of a wine with more to say and plenty of ageing ahead of it. Good.

Score: 89–91. A comforting, warm nose of ripe red fruits and forest floor in the height of summer. Intense fruit dominates the palate, with lively acidity.

A lovely, elegant nose that is aromatic, delicate, and concentrated at the same time. It reveals notes of morello cherry, vibrant blackberry and, more subtly, bright strawberry, combined with floral touches (violet, wisteria, almost white flowers), as well as hints of zan, a discreet hint of Timut pepper, and a subtle note reminiscent of warm pine needles. The palate is fruity, offering juiciness, smoothness, a tangy backbone, precision, tension, fine indulgence, finesse and elegance, with an elongated feel. It shows notes of juicy/pulpy blackberry, morello cherry and, more subtly, roasted-juicy red berries, combined with a Mediterranean touch, as well as fine hints of sage, sweet blond tobacco, and a hint of licorice stick and Timut pepper. Good length. Tasty, plush tannins. Plenty of indulgence. A charming infusion-like character on the finish.

A sleek red, with a nervy thread of iris cutting nicely through a core of gently mulled black currant and black cherry fruit. Light flashes of mesquite and savory check in alongside a late, lingering tarry tug, all while the fruit keeps pace. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2037. 13,000 cases made, 2,300 cases imported.