Chateau de Carles, Fronsac

Slate and oaky nose. Cassis and plum notes.

Last bottle of a case, most of which have been enjoyable if not especially profound. This was full of sweet, ripe fruit, with a raisiny element. The palate was straightforward and a little short of depth and complexity, but enjoyable (and it wasn't expensive).

This bottle was rather disappointing, the wine being somewhat rough and the fruit slightly bitter, although there was quite a lot of depth to the wine. It seems old before its time.

Full flavoured, with ripe plums and spice/cinnamon; good weight and length, with some richness.

Sweet, ripe, dense fruit, but without great structure or complexity; a well made and very drinkable wine, and very good value at about £8.50 (fully paid en primeur price). This bottle was somewhat rounder and more enjoyable than the last.

Rather hot, burnt raisiny fruit; a slight pepperiness from the high alcohol (14%); full flavoured, with plums and spicy notes; very enjoyable and drinking well now, but probably not for long keeping as it doesn't really have the backbone for long life.

Deeply coloured, with ripe and rather hot, even burnt fruit: raisins and plums enhanced by a slight pepperiness from the alcohol (14%). Full flavoured and drinking well now but it lacks the balance for a long life

Opened 3 bottles of this after a Bordeaux wine tasting at my house that included Gruaud Larose, Pontet Cantet and Langoa Barton. This did a decent job of holding up to the rest and showed very good. Excellent QPR here...drink short term.

For a cheap Bordeaux this is a good find, strong berry flavours, yes a bit alcoholic, but a pleasant after-taste. Quite enjoyably Rhone-like in my book.

Decanted for 3 hrs. Good dark ruby color, nice nose of blackberry, mineral and "terroir" coming through. Medium body with explosive....I MEAN EXPLOSIVE... mid-palate of black cherry and currant. Nicely balanced but I am getting the slightest bit of alcohol coming through (14%) on the medium/long finish. Not a real complex wine but a good Bordeaux QPR at $18. Drinking well now but wonder if that tiniest bit of alcohol will settle down with some time? 89

Plum, currant, coffee and cocoa nose. Rich palate with chocolate and toasty oak flavours; long, complex finish. 4/5

Moueix: Very closed, earthy, rough t’s, dry, earthy end; med. fin.