2020 Carbonnieux Blanc (Pessac-Leognan)

One of the benchmark wines for white Pessacs, and it has succeeded here. Plenty of curling aromatics out of the glass, a lovely grip and bounce. Good stuff. A yield of 47hl/ha. 25% new oak. 93 points

The 2020 Carbonnieux Blanc delivers loads of zesty sparks of yuzu and lime peels over a core of green apples, fresh grapefruit and crushed rock with a hint of wild thyme. The medium-bodied palate is crisp and refreshing, offering a great intensity of citrusy flavors with a chalky finish. 89-91 points

The 2020 Carbonnieux Blanc, cropped at 47hl/ha and aged in 25% new oak, has a fragrant, well-defined bouquet of Braeburn apples, pear and wild mint, nicely focused and full of vigor. The palate is well balanced with a fine thread of acidity. This is a little taciturn compared to others at this stage, but there is fine mineralite here, and it feels tensile, almost steely on the finish. After a perplexing showing of the 2018 in bottle, this is back to the Carbonnieux Blanc that I know best. 90-92 points

Pale greenish straw. Light nose with a little sweet sherbet effect. Good bright fruit and fresh acidity. Floral notes on the not-especially-long finish. Not that distinctive but well made – with oak very much in the background. Just a light astringency on the end suggests there is no great hurry to drink this. 16 points