2016 Château Carbonnieux rouge, Grand Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan

This family property is one of the most ancient of the Graves district, the cradle of Bordeaux wines, with a reputation dating back nearly 600 years. Previous owners ingeniously evaded the strictures of the Koran by shipping wine to the teetotal Turkish court at Constantinople as “eau minérale de Carbonnieux.” The Perrins bought the property in 1956 and the 3rd generation – brothers Eric and Philibert – have been successfully invigorating it, with Marc of the next generation now beside them. The blend in 2016 is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 45% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the wine showing rich, deep purple colour and abundantly fine, ripe fruitiness on the nose. The Merlots bring plush middle-palate succulence, the Cabernets admirable structure and intensity. Fruit is balanced by fine acidity and gentle tannins, with a harmonious, buoyant aftertaste (for drinking 2020-2035+).