94pts James Suckling

Sliced lemon, crushed stone, ginger and oyster shell aromas follow through to a medium body with crisp acidity and a crunchy finish. A very typical top white from Pessac.

93pts Decanter

With its lemon rind and grassy notes, this Sauvignon Blanc dominated wine - ever reliable - continues to appeal in 2023, although it does have some varietal aspects that come across as less nuanced when compared to some of its peers. Nonetheless, this is excellent white wine, with grip, juiciness, depth and freshness. To be served confidently with fish in a cream sauce.

92pts Wine Advocate

A blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Sémillon, the 2023 Carbonnieux Blanc exhibits elegant aromas of pear, white peach, spring flowers and herbs, followed by a medium-bodied, satiny and long texture enhanced by bright acids and a lively mid-palate. It concludes with a long, delicate, mouthwateringly mordant finish, making it a classic white wine from this estate.

92pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2023 Château Carbonnieux Blanc is light gold-hued and offer terrific aromatics of ripe citrus, minty herbs, and a kiss of grapefruit. These carry to a medium-bodied white with a round, supple texture, nicely integrated acidity, and outstanding length.

Winemaker Notes

Château Carbonnieux Blanc is a legendary wine. It is said that in the 18th century it was introduced to the Sultan of Constantinople's palace because of its clarity and was called "mineral water from Carbonnieux," thus defying the Islamic law.

The clay–limestone of Garonne gravel found in the Pessac-Léognan Appellation certainly produces the best dry white wines in the Bordeaux region. When young, Carbonnieux Blanc is delightfully refreshing and pure with a fruity, floral intensity. When mature it develops hints of dried and candied fruits giving scope for a large range of gastronomic pairings. The batches which will form part of this "cru classé" will be blended so as to induce an excellent complicity between the grape varieties. The chosen Sémillon grapes will add structure to the liveliness of the Sauvignon grapes by giving them roundness and volume on the palate.

Blend: 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sémillon

About the Winery

The history of Carbonnieux goes back a very long way, and records show that wine was made there at least as early as the 12th century. Benedictine monks from Sainte-Croix abbey in Bordeaux replanted and renovated the estate in the 18th century. They took advantage of the exceptionally pale, clear color of the white wine to label it as "Carbonnieux mineral water", which they then proceeded to ship to the sultan of Turkey.
Marc Perrin acquired and restored the chateau in 1956. His son, Antony, currently manages the estate. The gravelly soil at Carbonnieux is perfectly drained thanks to the Eau Blanche stream that carries away any excess water. The 85 hectares of vines are evenly divided between red and white wine varieties. The white wine is fermented and aged in barrel for 10 months. The red wine is aged for 15 to 18 months in barrel, depending on the quality and characteristics of the vintage.