Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc

[alchemeus]

Even this 1999.

I've never been disappointed with this estate since first taste of the 1995. The 1999 is fine also. Nice fresh fruits, full mouthfeel, no holes, a pleasure. Better wines, no doubt. But this little $27 jewel is a keeper. Still have some other vintages, starting with 1996.

[JimHow]

Nice note, Alch, I'm actually sipping on a white wine myself-- a Burg-- myself while grilling dinner.

[Tom In DC]

Thanks, Alch. Carbonnieux Blanc also ages very well, so if you like aged Sauvignon Blanc, don't be afraid to hold them to the 15-20 year point.

Ciao,
Tom

[alchemeus]

Well Tom, that's the rub.

So damn delicious now hard to keep

I do have several of previous vintages.

[AlexR]

Good to see you back posting Alch.

Yes, Carbonnieux has a huge production, but they also manage to make one of the best white wines of Bordeaux which, as Tom points out, can age well too.

Furthermore, the red - which was lacklustre for years - has improved greatly recently.
I suggest you give it a test drive.

All the best,
Alex

[alchemeus]

Alex,

I'd love to have Carbonnieaux red to have improved. It was just a tannic hell in the 1990's.

I do love the white though, and have for years. I juke the white, you juke the red.

[JimHow]

I edited it, Alch, I think I spelled it correctly.
There should be an edit button to the right of your screen.

[alchemeus]

Thanks Jim.

I've searched all over this page for an edit, no such luck. Admin thing?

Sometimes I REALLY need edit. Klutz that I am, with this keyboard.

[JimHow]

Hmm, really? I thought everyone could edit, not just moderators. I'll ask Phil about that.

[alchemeus]

Jim, my stupidity, didn't look the right place. It's just to the left of "QUOTE. Plain as day.

Doesn't appear to affect the original time stamp of the original post. either.

This is edited.

[JimHow]

Man, the inability to edit on the old BWE seems like a distant memory....

[Roberto]

Alex, perhaps this should be a thread in itself but I was curious as to which White Bordeaux are your favorites for everyday drinking. Bottlings that represent a good QPR?

Roberto

[alchemeus]

Roberto,

Alex will have his opinions, and unfortunately many I'll never see. Bordeaux Blanc is a rarity in my area, except for a few Entre deux Mers and Classed Growths. One store often has the EdM from the guy at hmmm...Petrus or some place. Last I bought it was $10. Nice little fresh fruity wine and well worth that price. May have been the 2005.

But Carbonnieux IS a QPR in my book.

Honestly.

According to Alex, the Red may now be also.

[Blanquito]

The 2003 Carbonnieux is very good for $23 at the Wine Exchange. Not sure if that qualifies as a bargain anymore, if the bottom falls out of the market. But I was happy with it, and plan on givng it a few years to integrate its oak a bit more.

[alchemeus]

Got to admit, the few (red or white) 2003 Bordeaux I tried was ...heh...whatever. Didn't much care for that vintage. Personnal taste.

2005 seems different. Real Deal kinda thing.

But then I liked 2001 and 2002 also. Varying degrees.

[ChrisW]

Carbonnieux Blanc is one of my favourite white wines in the medium-high price range. I think it offers a good QPR in most vintages. 2000 was quite good, 2001 and 2002 excellent, 2003 decent, 2004 good and 2005 and 2006 excellent again.

I like to serve this wine to guests as few people are familiar with white wines from Bordeaux and most people really appreciate their first experience with this wine.