Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc 2022

Located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Graves, on Bordeaux’s left bank, Château Carbonnieux is home to one of the oldest vineyards in Bordeaux. Wine has been made on the property since the 12th century, and today, it’s a member of both the Union des Crus Classés de Graves (comprised of only 14 châteaux) and the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (whose members are the most iconic wines of the region).

The château’s vines are spread across almost 250 acres, which are farmed to high environmental and sustainability standards (the vineyard has been certified HVE3 since 2017). Though the estate produces roughly equal amounts of red and white wine, it’s most famous for the latter, which many experts consider a benchmark for the category.

This is surely due in-part to the region’s clay-limestone-gravel soil, known to yield some of Bordeaux’s best Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, the two grapes in this barrel-aged blend. When young, the wine was delightfully refreshing and pure, with a floral intensity. But as it’s aged, it’s become more complex, developing hints of dried and candied fruit, and increasing its versatility at the dinner table.

The 2022 vintage has been rated 94 points by James Suckling and 93 points by Wine Spectator, which remarked, “this is a very classy Carbonnieux Blanc that’s built to age with grace.”