La Tour Carnet 2009

This dense purple wine displays notes of charcoal, subtle toast and white chocolate as well as blueberry and blackberry liqueur intermixed with hints of graphite and licorice. Dense, full-bodied, unctuously textured, and quite long and thick, this concentrated, impressively endowed wine is silky-textured and already accessible. However, I suspect its best days are at least 5-7 years ahead of it. It should keep for a minimum of two decades.One of the few classified growths in the southern end of the Medoc south of Margaux, La Tour Carnet has been owned for a number of years by Bernard Magrez. It is one of the most picturesque chateaux in Bordeaux, dating from the 12th century, with real towers and a Camelot-style moat surrounding it. A large estate, they have been making top-flight wines for well over a decade, yet the prices remain very realistic for a classified growth Bordeaux. The 2009, which boasts Michel Rolland as the consultant, was a final blend of 62% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest tiny dollops of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink: 2017 - 2037

The 2009 La Tour Carnet has an attractive blackberry, savory and peppermint scented bouquet that opens nicely with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with gritty tannin, quite masculine and sharp with a slightly bitter finish. I suspect this will improve with bottle age as it amidst a dumb phase. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a long finish. Solid and balanced, with pretty tannins. A polished young wine.

Very dark. Very subtle and complex on the nose. Round and easy and pretty relaxed. Seems rather effortless. Lots of pleasure and nice ripeness rather than simple sweetness. Good! Date tasted 1st April 2010. Drink 2017-2028.