One of Graves’ great chteaux, with vines planted on the region’s famous deep gravels. Carbonnieux Rouge is Cabernet Sauvignon-led, classically Pessac in profile fine tannins, freshness, integrated oak, and what we’d call luxury without weight. 2018 in Pessac-Lognan was a powerful, structured vintage: this is the denser, more brooding face of Carbonnieux, with dark fruit, gravel, and a real spine of Cabernet. Notably, the chteau itself recommends pairing the reds with fowl, swordfish, even tuna they’re more versatile than you’d expect for serious Bordeaux. Built to age, drinking well now with a decant.