Sweet blueberry fruit on the opening, with smoked cedar oak. Black chocolate, slate, intense blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, this is fully ripe, with a bitter edge to the phenolics, but enjoyable and balanced by juicy acidities. 40% new oak, 32hl/h yield, harvest September 6 to 23.

From this 92-hectare estate, the 2022 Carbonnieux is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, matured in 40% new oak in 225-liter barrels. The bouquet offers up elegant and vibrant aromas of cassis, blueberry, iris, violet and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is perfectly balanced, concentrated and fleshy ,with velvety tannins and excellent concentration. This is an excellent Carbonnieux—indeed, it may be one of the best of modern times.

Soft and juicy red with blackberry and blueberry character. Medium body. Velvety tannins. Medium finish. Could use a little more at the end, but nicely focused.

Showing the ripe, powerful style of the vintage, the 2022 Château Carbonnieux offers lots of up-front red and black fruits as well as some classic Graves graphite, earth, and spice. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has fine tannins and a great finish.