La Tour Carnet 2011

An excellent wine from proprietor Bernard Magrez, this blend of 57% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a big, sweet nose of black cherries, black currants, graphite and smoky oak. Medium-bodied with excellent density and fruit, good acidity and silky tannins, this striking 2011 should drink well for 15 or more years. La Tour Carnet is usually priced very fairly.

The La Tour Carnet is a blend of 57% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot cropped between 19th September and 10th October, being raised in 30% new oak. It has a slightly anonymous bouquet that demands coaxing, offering undergrowth and tertiary scents, the fruit a little muted. The palate is medium-bodied with a rather angular entry, although there is decent stuffing on the mid-palate. Yet the finish is tapered a little although there is an attractive minerally aftertaste. Tasted April 2012.

A little lean but some attractive minerally tannins, with fresh acidity and a medium fruit concentration on the palate. May fill out with elevage.

Bernard Magrez of Pape Clement fame has transformed the quality at this classed growth in recent years. Prices remain reasonable despite the leap in reputation. A powerful, smoky oak nose. Lots of black fruit here with glycerol and a velvety mouthfeel. Opulent, polished, and really rather impressive. Certainly the best wine we tasted from the Haut Medoc.

The nose has some nice ripe cassis and this is very much to the fore on the palate. The mid palate is fresher with more of a bramble and bilberry influence and towards the back the oak is very obvious giving spice but tending to dry the finish.

Good expression of summer berry fruits, good northern Médoc firmness with enough ripeness to age well. Drink 2015-2024.