Bordeaux 2015:
the reds
Rather unique in character, it is clear that 2015 – with its hallmark freshness – is the best vintage since 2010 in Bordeaux. Many of the wines are excellent, “modern classics” that combine elegance and power, but it is important to be selective.
Learn more about Bordeaux 2015:
the reds
So what of the style of the wines? There are lots which impress, that’s for sure. Freshness is a hallmark of this vintage, and the wines with concentration of fruit, precision and carefully judged grainy tannins are of a truly excellent quality. The Clarets of 2015 have been described as “Modern Classics” by many of the winemakers and we think this is a very accurate description.
The 2015 vintage is not a Merlot or Cabernet year. It is also not a Right or Left Bank vintage. Some great wines have been produced from all appellations – and some not too great wines as well.
In glowing terms, we used the following descriptors most often for the 2015s: charm, elegance, finesse, concentration, silky grainy tannins, freshness, beautiful spice, long persistent finish, underbelly of power, pace, harmony, structured complexity, multi-layered ripe and juicy fruit.
These characteristics make it a rather attractive vintage. In contrast to the wines of 10, 15, 20 years ago and more, the wines show a lot of ripe, juicy, fleshy fruit, and can appear very approachable –even at a young age and when tasted en primeur from barrel. The old-fashioned style was to go heavy on prominent tannins and high acidity: this vintage combines the best aspects of both, creating harmony and beautiful balance – hence the description as a modern classic.
The petits châteaux will be ready to drink five years from the vintage, but a lot of the best wines will be excellent well beyond that and into the next 20 or 30 years.
It is not possible to find a completely comparable vintage for 2015. It offers some of the best characteristics of a number of other vintages. However, it certainly sits just beneath the greats of the last 20 years (2000, 2005, 2009 and 2010) and the rest.
We found the greatest consistency of very good wines in Margaux, St Estèphe, Pomerol and Pessac-Léognan. However, there were excellent wines from all other appellations too including Pauillac, St Julien, St Emilion and the rest of the Médoc.
Prices:
Bottle
£11.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl52cs
This estate is situated on the beautiful hillsides around Vérac, overlooking Pomerol and Lalande de Pomerol. It has been owned by the Lhuillier family since 1941, who craft boutique wines that are full of personality. Quality and consistency are evident in their terroir-driven winemaking approach which combines tradition and modernism.
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl2cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
Stuart Rae - Private Account Manager
Nice dark, Cabernet Sauvignon, blackcurrant fruit, seasoned with a touch of black pepper and a hint of oak on the nose. Similar fruit profile on the palate, quite rich and “modern”, very well-made with crisp acidity and some nice faintly grippy tannins. Very good value.
Chris Pollington - Private Account Manager
Bottle 12 x 75cl32cs
Appealing flavours of cherry and smoky red fruit make this really rewarding. It is the volume which stands out here, especially after tasting the whole flight from the Ch. Ausone stable. An excellent effort.
Blend: 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Bottle 6 x 75cl18cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl4cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
The wine tastes glorious, just as great wine should taste: crunchy pure and fresh fruit, high acidity, silky ripe tannins and nice balance. This is a triumphant wine, with a typical and classic blend for this great estate, and phenomenal length. It is a wine that the château can be proud of. Really elegant and one of our favourites, it's a must-buy this year.
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc
D. Magnum 1 x 300cl1cs
The succulent palate effortlessly combines the powerful character of St Estèphe with extraordinary finesse. This wine is surely going to be one of the bargains of the vintage.
Blend: 49% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl2cs
With its lovely deep salmon colour the wine is immediately attractive, the nose does not disappoint: lots of zest and character and a slight smoky note; reminiscent of wild roses and pata negra. On the palate the wine is fresh and attractive with plenty of depth and body . The spicy end note is the perfect foil to the fruity mid-palate. Chilled well this wine is perfect for summer drinking - as an aperitif or with a summer barbeque!