92-94pts Vinous
The 2021 Carbonnieux Blanc has a relatively spicy bouquet, very slight touches of muscat filtering through the citric fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy entry and good weight. Persistent in the mouth, leaving behind a long, saline aftertaste. This is another excellent dry white Bordeaux. - Neal Martin
93pts James Suckling
Spiced lemon, ginger, gooseberries and minerals on the nose. Broad, medium- to full-bodied palate with fresh acidity and a zippy finish. 65% sauvignon and 35% semillon. Drink or hold.
92pts Jane Anson
One of the great historic whites of Bordeaux, this has lift and crunch, with a deliciously zesty citrus and lime fruit character, clean with wet stones and pink grapefruit. Juicy finish. 30hl/h yield, 25% new oak for ageing, Diam closure. Harvest August 16 to September 1, early for the year, even though these are planted on mainly north-facing slopes.
89-91pts Jeb Dunnuck
Lots of ripe melon, which peach, and some citrus fruits, as well as a touch of floral nuances, emerge from the 2021 Château Carbonnieux Blanc, another bright, fresh, focused white in the vintage. The 2021s can at times lack a touch of volume and richness, but this has good mid-palate depth and rock-solid balance. I'd be happy to drink a glass, and it should be ready to go right out of the gate.
90pts Wine Spectator
This fresh white has a brisk edge, delivering white peach and yellow apple gelée notes, along with hints of lemon curd and salted butter. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2029. 15,000 cases made, 3,500 cases imported.
History
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.
