As the emblematic second wine of Château Carbonnieux, La Croix de Carbonnieux 2020 celebrates the elegance of the Graves of Pessac-Léognan with a contemporary, precise and highly attractive profile. Sourced from selected vines and dedicated parcels, this red captures the estate's spirit from a more immediately accessible angle, without sacrificing terroir depth. The 2020 vintage, bright and harmonious, delivers a wine with ripe fruit and a refined mouthfeel. Here, Bordeaux classicism meets a modern breath: sculpted tannins, delicate oak and a mineral freshness that lengthens the sensation. If you are looking for a Pessac-Léognan to brighten a dinner with friends, to ennoble weekend grilled red meat, or to offer—today—a sincere and elegant pleasure while keeping a calm potential for a few years' evolution, this 2020 answers that promise with present precision, honest style and gastronomic composure that place it naturally at the heart of the French art de vivre.

Assemblage et vinification

La Croix de Carbonnieux 2020 follows the great tradition of Pessac-Léognan. The blend highlights Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, complemented by the finesse of Cabernet Franc and the structuring imprint of Petit Verdot. The terroir of graves günziennes, lying on an argilo-calcaire subsoil, signs the mineral thread that gives the wine its identity. A 12-month élevage in oak barrels, with a measured proportion of new wood, polishes the contours, refines the tannin grain and adds a discreet toasted nuance, always in service of the fruit. Parcel-level precision and strict selection, under the guidance of the Famille Perrin, aim for balance: preserving aromatic brightness, revealing the vitality of the Cabernet and the generous character of the Merlot, while respecting the smoky signature characteristic of the appellation's great reds.

Notes de dégustation

• Robe : Deep red with ruby highlights, clear and bright, announcing impeccable fruit ripeness and well-controlled concentration.
• Nez : Precise expression of blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry, lifted by a delicate smoky signature, a touch of graphite and a mineral dimension. Echoes of bay leaf, cocoa bean and fine wood complete the picture.
• Bouche : Generous, direct attack, a core of juicy fruit, tight yet polished tannins, fresh and harmonious balance. The finish stretches on notes of black berries, warm stone and a subtle toasty smoothness, with a savoury tension that calls for food.

Température de service et conseils

Serve this Pessac-Léognan between 16 and 19°C in tulip-shaped glasses to showcase the purity of the fruit and the precision of the texture. Decanting or opening a few minutes before serving allows the bouquet to unfurl and reveal its smoky and mineral nuances. Store bottles calmly, protected from light and temperature swings. The wine can be enjoyed now for its generosity and structure, while offering an ageing potential of up to 5 years, during which the oak will integrate further and the mouthfeel will gain in silkiness.

Accords mets et vin

• Gourmet aperitifs: thin slices of bresaola, duck rillettes, warm gougères with Comté.
• Starters: perfect egg with mushrooms, country terrine, hand-chopped beef tartare.
• Main courses: grilled ribeye, côte de boeuf, duck breast, roasted rack of lamb, veal cutlet with reduced jus.
• Cheeses: sheep's tomme, Cantal entre-deux, farmhouse Saint-Nectaire, Comté 18 months.
• Vegetables & sides: baby roasted potatoes, sautéed porcini, roasted root vegetables, creamy polenta.

Moments de dégustation

La Croix de Carbonnieux 2020 is the perfect companion:

• For a dinner with friends where conviviality meets elegance.
• At a smart barbecue in warm seasons, alongside perfectly seared meats.
• As a thoughtful gift for a Bordeaux enthusiast who appreciates precise, approachable wines.

Caractéristiques

• Nom : La Croix de Carbonnieux 2020
• Appellation : Pessac-Léognan AOC
• Type : Red wine
• Millésime : 2020
• Cépages : Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
• Élevage : 12 mois en barriques de chêne, part de bois neuf mesurée
• Terroir : Graves günziennes, sous-sol argilo-calcaire
• Propriété : Famille Perrin
• Garde : up to 5 years
• Température de service : 16–19°C