Carbonnieux Pessac-Léognan 2020 375ml

95 points James Suckling: "Blackcurrants, raspberries, crushed stone, bark, and dark mushroom. Licorice, too. Full-bodied with chewy tannins that are minerally and intense. Tangy undertone with plenty going on. Very structured. Solid wine from this estate. Best after 2027. (1/4/23)"

93-95 points Wine Enthusiast: "The Perrin family's wine has a structured character with tannins and crisp black currant fruits offering juicy, bright acidity as well as some fine potential. The wine's richness will develop well."

93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot). Concentrated, structured and spicy, emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon and Left Bank character, upright with grippy tannins, needs more time in the bottle. Great quality though, touches of tomato leaf, cassis, smoked earth. 42 hl/ha yield, 40% new oak. Alcohol 14.5%. Drinking Window: 2023-2032. (1/5/23)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "Solidly built, this seems to soak up the vintage's heat, turning it around in the form of a broad swath of steeped black currant and blackberry paste flavors supported by warm tar and smoldering tobacco. Shows a nice singed cedar frame, with a lingering note of warm paving stone on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2035. (3/31/23)"

93 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "The nose, with its smoke, flowers, cocoa, and wet earth scents is a treat. But it is on the palate, with all its layers of lush, elegant, ripe, silky, blackberries, plums, and cocoa where the wine shines. Soft, supple, long and complex, with a solid depth of flavor in the finish that is packed with ripe fruits, chocolate and coffee bean, this is in contention as the finest vintage of Carbonnieux I have ever tasted. Drink from 2025-2045. (Mar 2023)"

92 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2020 Carbonnieux has turned out nicely, like its white counterpart, exhibiting aromas of plums, cassis and cherries mingled with hints of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, rich and gourmand, with powdery tannins and a succulent core of fruit, it's an elegant effort from this large Pessac estate. Drink: 2025-2045. (4/6/23)"

92 points Falstaff Guide: "Deep dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, dark core, delicate rim brightening. Nuances of figs and ripe plums, hints of nougat, a touch of cardamom. Medium complexity, chocolaty touch, ripe tannins, a little too loosely knit on the finish, mineral-salty in the aftertaste, good to use. (Jan 2023)"