Château Carbonnieux
One of the oldest vineyards of Pessac-Léognan
Château CARBONNIEUX is a property located in Pessac-Léognan and more exactly on one of the most qualitative rumps of graves of this appellation. The CARBONNIEUX vineyard was established there for over 20 centuries by the Romans, however, the oldest traces of this name go back to the twelfth century. Its name comes from the old family owners , the ” Carbonius ” family.
A notarial deed of exchange from 1292 states that the property was acquired by the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Sainte-Croix (Bordeaux). Several centuries later, in 1519 the family De Ferron, recently ennobled, and in order to honor its rank acquired a large vineyard They bought CARBONNIEUX. They remained the owners of the Château for more than four centuries. Jean Ferron and his successors practiced a policy of acquisitions and creation of the vineyard who played a decisive role in the quality of wines. It should be noted that the buildings of this period are almost identical to those of today.
In the early 18th century , after more than two and a half centuries at Carbonnieux De Ferron family got in serious debt and almost ruined resold the property to the Benedictine Monks of the Church of the Sainte-Croix. These inherited a vineyard already established, investedheavily to modernize the production and facilities of the vineyard. Their political bearing fruit wines of the property were recognized for their qualities during Rating Stewardship Guyenne issued in 1776.
They will remain owners until the expropriation due to the French Revolution.
For the record, in 1786 , shortly before being dispossessed of the vineyard they welcomed Thomas Jefferson, future President of the United States, who is ambassador to France and Bordeaux’ wine lover came tothe region came and visited many properties .
Back to our story. The property was seized during the change of regime it was in accordance with the law sold as a “national asset ” auctioned by the court to Bordeaux . Château CARBONNIEUX was then acquired by François Xavier Bouchereau . Mister Bouchereau , returning from the West French Indies, where he made his fortune , botany enthusiast and probably acting in response to the Napoleonic trading block , tried to convert a portion of the property in cotton plantation . Culture proved possible but difficult especially because of the climate.
Thanks to a generous patron who gave him his collection of vines Mr. Bouchereau at Carbonnieux created one of the largest collections of time gathering nearly 1,240 feet of different vineyards and from around the world . Unfortunately today there remains no trace of this exceptional collection.
Having no heir, he passed CARBONNIEUX to its operations vineyard manager. The castle remained only a short time in the hands of the latter because at the end of the 19th century he sold it to three people who they kept until the 1920s.
The Castle continued its owning waltz, and it changed owners again and was acquired by the Ricard family – Doutylouix , a wine merchant from Bordeaux who already owned Châteaux Haut-Bally, Marquis de Fieusal and many others. 
Following the crisis of 1929 the property was sold to a Bordeaux industrialist who owned it until 1956. Date Marc Perrin, father Anthony Perrin and from a Burgundian family (Nuits St. George) , acquired the property.
He was joined in 1987 by Eric Perrin (son of Anthony Perrin) and by Philibert Perrin (son of Anthony Perrin) in 1992. Today the two brothers together Perringèrent property.
Meeting with Eric Pérrin , owner of the Château CARBONNIEUX : How did you get the taste of wine ?
Eric Perrin
“I acquired the taste of the vine thanks to my grandfather since I was 6 or 7 years, he regularly took me to walk in the vineyard to attend the harvest, the grapes dripping, the first juice … etc. . The first juice is very attractive for a child I particularly liked it drip.
I ‘ve always had a ‘feeling’ here , I was born here , grew up here and so I have a special attachment to this property. All this has provided me the desire to take over the family property and continue with my brother the work of our grandfather. However when I was old enough to choose a path I went to a computer BTS management thinking that it would serve me later . At the end of my studies I went to Napa Valleypour work property. “(Eric Perrin)
In terms of production you and your brother you follow in the continuity of your father or has there been any change?
VIDEO: Eric Perrin tells us about the red wines of Carbonnieux
“Our father, following the trend of the time was more from the perspective of maximizing the quantities produced. At that time it was considered as the winemaker wine maker. Taking care of the vineyard , the state of the soil and the fact that ‘ good grapes gives good wine ‘ is a concept that dates back only 90 years .
Today, on the advice of Denis Dubourdieu it was much more access to the work in the vineyard and the winery. It also allows us to simplify the work in the cellar. For example we practice green harvesting to gain concentration, being more about the power but still retaining the character of our wines are finesse , elegance and balance.“(Eric Perrin)
What are you looking for each year by creating CARBONNIEUX wines?
VIDEO: Eric Perrin tells us about the white wines of Carbonnieux
“What we want most is continuity in quality, in style ‘ carbonnieux. The full expression of our vines and our land is sought to have complexity in our wines. For example we do research and do not expect the same from our Sauvignon Blancs that are on the rump serious than those planted on clay- limestone soils .
We search for red power, balance, finesse and elegance . Our red wines, when they are young , express roasted notes and notes of black fruit (blackcurrant, wall …. ) . These aromas are found from one year to another (consistency).
For our white wines our priority is balance. We’re not big fans of the new wood on white therefore sought to limit its contributions to promote the expression of fruit. The woodland has come just subtle / in dressing. Our white wines are characterized by their freshness, their menthol which isexpressed after oxygenation as well as notes of citrus and white peach.“(Eric Perrin)
Side anecdote :
During the 18th Century Abdul Hamid 1 Ottoman Sultan, married Aimée Dubuc de Rivery, a lover of the Bordeaux white wine CARBONNIEUX. So in order to continue to drink she asked That bottles should be sent but with a written label with “mineral water from CARBONNIEUX.” The trick worked perfectly, so that one day the Sultan and it dripped replied “I do not know why the French are trying to make wine, then they have a delicious mineral water.”
Tourism side you can see the permanent exhibition of old cars in working order or the ” bicolor ” workshop. Workshop of making assemblies grapes ( you can create your own wine !) And enjoy them with visitors who visit the Château CARBONNIEUX, which has turned into a must for wine-tourism in Pessac-Léognan.
The property also regularly organizes musical evenings punctuated by a wine tasting.
Thanks to Eric Perrin for his warm welcome.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche
Château Carbonnieux
Chemin de Peyssardet
33850 Léognan (France)
+33 (0)5.57.96.56.20
