Château La Tour Carnet 2009

Noticeable oak, a dry finish, yet not without elegance.

This dense purple wine displays notes of charcoal, subtle toast and white chocolate, as well as blueberry and blackberry liqueur interwoven 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. It should keep for a minimum of two decades. One of the few classified growths at 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.

Plump and ripe, with a warm edge to the steeped plum, cherry and currant fruit, which mingles gently with light toasty vanilla and tobacco on the finish. A supple, approachable style. Drink now through 2017. 23,330 cases made.

A linear wine with very good fruit and plum characters. Full-bodied with firm tannins and a mineral, fruity finish. Better in 2016.

Tasted blind. Very deep purplish crimson. Rich and ripe on the nose. Then pretty severe and sour on the palate. Not much fun! Very drying and austere. (JR)

Modern in style, this Merlot-dominated, deeply colored wine opens with a perfume filled with coffee, licorice, black and blue fruit, and chocolate. Concentrated, fleshy and flashy, produced from a blend of 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, this delicious Haut <a href="https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/bordeaux-wine-producer-profiles/bordeaux/the-medoc-margaux-st-julien-pauillac-st-estephe-chateau-listings">Medoc</a> needs a few years before the oak fully integrates.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle ochre rim. Tobacco-scented dark berry fruit, a touch of nougat, some cassis, candied orange zest. Taut, sweet red cherry fruit, firm, supporting tannins, very good freshness, lively and lasting, further aging potential. Already accessible, but better wait.

Intense dark ruby red colour with a lighter rim. Pure nose, still rather youthful with fresh dark fruit, cassis, plum and herbal notes like sage and mint. Dense but fresh palate with medium weight, plenty of fine tannin starting to soften, a fresh acidity, red and black currant flavours, discreet oak and a long pure finish. Classic medium-bodied, dense and fresh style.

Deep purple-garnet. Classic, finely spiced Médoc bouquet, slightly smoky Cabernet, lovely depth. On the palate, exceptionally fine, almost creamy texture, polished ripe tannins; only on the finish does it turn muscular, so the ’09 also displays the typical, distinctive La Tour Carnet character.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with a violet hue on the rim. Classic, finely spicy Médoc bouquet, lightly smoky Cabernet, showing fine depth. On the palate, rarely this refined and almost creamy in texture; the tannins feel polished, or simply fully ripe. Only on the finish do the muscles flex, restoring this La Tour-Carnet to its distinctive character.

Fruity, silky, opulent bouquet with blackberry, black cherry and licorice. Silky, fruity, opulent palate with powerful fruit, plenty of fine tannins, and a strong, sweet aromatic profile. Long finish marked by tannins. 18/20 2017 - 2035

Powerful, open nose, enhanced by roasted notes from the barrel, excellent volume on the palate, voluptuous tannin for a Médoc, high alcohol content, a sun-kissed yet very flavorful wine.

Powerful, ripe and endowed with a great tannic structure, it retains freshness and will integrate. Patience.

Supple, dense attack; beautiful, elegant tannins; harmonious and charming; lacks a bit of body; red-fruit finish.

The nose is aromatic, indulgent, delicate and intense. It reveals notes of blackberry, ripe strawberry and, more subtly, blackcurrant and raspberry, with discreet touches of Sichuan pepper, violet, truffle, spices, as well as a subtle hint of oak/wood, chocolate and a discreet hint of nutmeg. The palate is fruity, balanced, suave, rich, elegant, silky, round, and offers lovely definition, a fine grain and concentration. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of blackberry, crushed blackcurrant and strawberry, with fine touches of crushed redcurrant, truffle, spices, cardamom, mocha, as well as discreet hints of toasted oak (in the background). The tannins are fine, structuring and well-managed. Long finish. A subtle hint of almond appears on the retro-nasal finish.

Since 2008, this cru has changed its maturation method to gain refreshing liveliness and a pleasing sapidity. Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Nose of ripe, creamy fruit. Juicy on the attack, the wine unfolds particularly fruity and seamless, rich, flavorful, with velvety tannins. Powerful, long finish.

90-92 Barrel sample. Firmly dry wine, solid with many firm, wood-derived tannins. It gives bitter coffee and cranberry juice flavors, but also manages to retain freshness.