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.
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Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste,
Ready, but will keep,
Bottles of this product are discounted by 30%. Price shown includes saving.
This wine is made by the team at Fifth Growth estate Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste. Its fabulous bouquet of blackcurrant, cedar and cigar box is classic Pauillac, as are its muscular, but opulent tannins and crisp freshness. The palate boasts the hallmark of the quality and appealing nature of the 2015 vintage, with rich, ripe black-fruit flavours, framed by a hint of toasty, fine-grained oak. It has the structure and energy to age gracefully but is hugely enjoyable now, ideally with rare roast lamb or beef.
This wine is made by the team at Fifth Growth estate Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste. Its fabulous bouquet of blackcurrant, cedar and cigar box is classic Pauillac, as are its muscular, but opulent tannins and crisp freshness. The palate boasts the hallmark of the quality and appealing nature of the 2015 vintage, with rich, ripe black-fruit flavours, framed by a hint of toasty, fine-grained oak. It has the structure and energy to age gracefully but is hugely enjoyable now, ideally with rare roast lamb or beef.
Ready, but will keep,
Set at the foot of St Emilion’s rolling hills, Ch. Billeron Bouquey has been family-owned for over two centuries. From the 2015 vintage – which benefitted from a long, warm ripening season – this flashy red shows an attractive nose of red and black berries, with a hint of cedar. The nose gives way to a palate of generous fruit, with plenty of sweet spice, fine, firm tannins and a long, cool finish. Match it with lamb cutlets or sausages and mash for delectable results. Drink now to 2025.
Oliver Barton
Oliver Barton
Chateau Pichon Baron,
Ready, but will keep,
The wines of Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron are among the glossiest and most succulent of Pauillac and Les Tourelles de Longueville, the property’s second wine, is a delicious expression of this in miniature. The fruit, led by Merlot, is accessible, juicy and supple, with creamy vanilla from 30% new oak providing the base. The use of oak at this château is always exemplary; the class of this wine is unmistakable. The château harvests from vines on the sandier parts of its vineyard to make a wine that is accessible quite early, but there is ample material here to last a decade. Drink 2019-2026.
For laying down,
Patrick Maroteau's excellent 2015 from this Fourth Growth estate shows a real purity, with great precision and ripe tannins that grip and offer an intense focus. The rich, fresh, spicy nose of damsons and blackberry fruit oozes class. There is precision here, a polish – quite simply harmonious.
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
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
For laying down,
Ch. Saint-Pierre is one of the smaller and lesser known properties within the appellation of St Julien. The 2015 brims with juicy red and black forest fruit, while the palate has a savoury twist of graphite. Full-bodied and flavoursome, this displays ripe, firm tannins and refreshingly crunchy fruit on the finish.
For laying down,
The new cellar, winery and tasting room is now open at Les Carmes and it really is quite an astounding building. The 2015 is a pretty powerful wine, serious, complex and very interesting indeed. The floral bouquet is very pretty, layered with really ripe raspberries which are ever so attractive. My favourite aspect of the wine has to be the earthy, mineral character though, as well as the brilliant tannic structure.
The gravelly soils offer a lovely character and the wine has a sense of place, of terroir. Light in the mouth, the tobacco, sweet black fruits and creamy texture create a wonderful palate, but the savoury characteristics are what I enjoy most about this wine. It is another really promising wine for this up and coming estate.
Blend: 45% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
The gravelly soils offer a lovely character and the wine has a sense of place, of terroir. Light in the mouth, the tobacco, sweet black fruits and creamy texture create a wonderful palate, but the savoury characteristics are what I enjoy most about this wine. It is another really promising wine for this up and coming estate.
Blend: 45% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau Pichon Baron,
For laying down,
This wine suggests that Ch. Pichon Baron is really making the most of their great terroir. There is layered complexity on offer here and the weight of fruit is superbly controlled and focused.
Layered with terrific creamy notes, this wine lifts, lifts and lifts with each moment it sits on the palate. The generosity of fruit fills the finish and it combines beautifully with the spicy, toasty vanilla. There is some power here, but the structure is so sound, that it is felt but not forceful. The finish is prolonged and effortlessly enjoyable.
Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot
Layered with terrific creamy notes, this wine lifts, lifts and lifts with each moment it sits on the palate. The generosity of fruit fills the finish and it combines beautifully with the spicy, toasty vanilla. There is some power here, but the structure is so sound, that it is felt but not forceful. The finish is prolonged and effortlessly enjoyable.
Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot
Chateau Mouton Rothschild,
For laying down,
The 2015 Ch. Mouton Rothschild is simply outstanding. It has a superb cool and racy palate brimming with Cabernet fruit. There is the ripeness, flair and gravitas you would expect from a First Growth and a very long, succulent finish.
The rich, intoxicating nose is extremely exciting, I just love the racy, pure cassis notes. The silky core of fruit is absolutely delicious. This is a really strong wine from a vintage which is justifiably rated highly. The crunch of fruit, a hallmark of the vintage, is present and utterly refreshing.
Blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
The rich, intoxicating nose is extremely exciting, I just love the racy, pure cassis notes. The silky core of fruit is absolutely delicious. This is a really strong wine from a vintage which is justifiably rated highly. The crunch of fruit, a hallmark of the vintage, is present and utterly refreshing.
Blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Pape Clement,
For laying down,
Ch. Pape Clément is a very concentrated wine in 2015. The deep purple-coloured wine exhibits a fragrant bouquet of flowers, red as well as black fruits. Medium-bodied, well textured and rich, with attractive acidity, a long finish and moderate but sweet tannin, this is made in a textbook Pessac-Léognan style, with crunchy, dusty fruit. Good grip and polished tannins are present and there is plenty of weight here.
Blend: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Giscours,
Drink now,
Displaying a relatively light colour for Bordeaux Rosé, and much lighter than the 2014 this looks utterly quaffable from the get go. Impressing with elegant yet zippy strawberry sherbet on the palate and a more substantial Scottish raspberry notes underneath. This offers more interest and presence than say a Provençale Rosé but without the excess weight and lumber of Rhone styles. The finish is spicy yet creamy with great whip and freshness. Far too easy to drink and bound to impress throughout 2016.
Gary Owen - Private Account Manager
A step back from the savoury depths of last year, this is a return to a classic Bordeaux rosé style and shows off the quality of the 2015 vintage with a quaffable ease – medium bodied with glorious strawberry/raspberry freshness upfront laced with warming herb notes of thyme and fennel to the finish. This is a bright and intriguing rosé with enough body to accompany a plethora of light summer dishes. Definitely one to stock up on for the coming months.
Peter Newton - Private Account Manager
Gary Owen - Private Account Manager
A step back from the savoury depths of last year, this is a return to a classic Bordeaux rosé style and shows off the quality of the 2015 vintage with a quaffable ease – medium bodied with glorious strawberry/raspberry freshness upfront laced with warming herb notes of thyme and fennel to the finish. This is a bright and intriguing rosé with enough body to accompany a plethora of light summer dishes. Definitely one to stock up on for the coming months.
Peter Newton - Private Account Manager
Chateau Palmer,
For laying down,
Ch. Palmer, a perennial favourite of our team has made another blockbuster in 2015. It is a remarkable wine and oozes class this year. The quality is exceptional and as good as the First Growths this vintage, with a glorious concentration of blackcurrant fruit on the nose and an intense, smooth, fruity, rich yet fine-boned palate.
The wine is powerful, but has such precision that it takes your breath away. Fine-grained tannins add elegance and there’s an intriguing, almost raspberry hint to the finish. This is a beautiful wine with the most sumptuous of finishes. A terrific, seamless wine, with a core of minerality: a true wine-lover’s wine.
Blend: 44% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot
The wine is powerful, but has such precision that it takes your breath away. Fine-grained tannins add elegance and there’s an intriguing, almost raspberry hint to the finish. This is a beautiful wine with the most sumptuous of finishes. A terrific, seamless wine, with a core of minerality: a true wine-lover’s wine.
Blend: 44% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot
Chateau Margaux,
For laying down,
This is a wine of great finesse, very soft and graceful. The emphasis is not on power, but there is an underlying momentum to the wine. There is a wealth of ripe, red fruit on the nose. Purity is an effective descriptor too.
Fine-grained tannins dominate the finish, which is persistent and with great harmony. Layers upon layers of fruit dance on the palate and a textured spice really pleases. It is a pure expression of wines from Margaux.
Blend: 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Fine-grained tannins dominate the finish, which is persistent and with great harmony. Layers upon layers of fruit dance on the palate and a textured spice really pleases. It is a pure expression of wines from Margaux.
Blend: 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Angludet,
For laying down,
What a lovely, rich and fresh wine. Ch. Angludet is always one of the most reliable châteaux. The rich concentration is so generous and rewarding. I love the sweetness at the front of the palate. Good depth, a bit of intensity and lovely tannins that harmoniously combine with an appealing acidity on the finish. Often described as a traditionalist's wine, this is actually rather delicious. Cabernet provides the power here, but it is so restrained, floral, perfumed and flavoursome. Margaux performed very well in 2015 and this wine is reflective of the quality of the vintage. Given that the price is always appropriate to the quality of the wine here, we have no hesitation in recommending it.
Blend: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot
Blend: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot
For laying down,
What a lovely expressive nose: the sweet red fruits combine with violet notes. The palate has structured, yet very fine, grainy tannins. The pure, crunchy red fruit flavours are immediately appealing. Ch. du Tertre always offers great value for money and the 2015 vintage is no exception. Cool, refreshing acidity appears on the finish and the tannins are tremendously well textured. The wine brims with dark fruit flavours, and the fruit is dense, concentrated and luscious. The broad, fleshy fruit profile really appeals. Quite restrained, but precise and quite sophisticated. This is really cool on the finish and so attractive.
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc
For laying down,
Ch. d'Armailhac has all the hallmarks of its big brother, Ch. Mouton Rothschild, this year. The property is found right next door and shares many of the qualities that have made its illustrious sibling so famous.
It is creamy, brimming full of dark, dense blackberries and has a lovely savoury finish. This is seriously juicy, and I really like the succulent ripe fruits that dominate the palate. The cool and racy undertones are really pleasing. Full of flair and gravitas, if priced correctly it will be a real treat.
Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
It is creamy, brimming full of dark, dense blackberries and has a lovely savoury finish. This is seriously juicy, and I really like the succulent ripe fruits that dominate the palate. The cool and racy undertones are really pleasing. Full of flair and gravitas, if priced correctly it will be a real treat.
Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Chateau Pontet-Canet,
For laying down,
This grand Pauillac property delivers awesome flavours in 2015. You can't help but enjoy this magnificently ripe, sturdy, smoky claret. It has the cedary Pauillac characteristic. The tannins are pleasingly silky, and there is tremendous balance. Creamy blackberries and a precise shape, lead to a fruit-dominant finish hat tingles in the mouth. It needs some bottle age, but it follows the tradition of great wine from this leading estate. It's rich and powerful, but elegant and sweet.
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Chateau Lynch-Bages,
For laying down,
Ch. Lynch-Bages shines out like a beacon this year; it is definitely one of our favourite wines of the vintage. It has a very generous nose of toasty oak and dark fruits which are immediately appealing.
The powerfully structured palate has savoury hints of liquorice and ripe black juicy fruit which all combine in a dense, brooding, almost muscular mouth-feel. Displaying some elegance too, this Cabernet-dominated wine will surely gain even more weight in barrel and it could be tremendously stunning with a bit if patience. This estate now effortlessly outperforms its designated 1855 classification.
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
The powerfully structured palate has savoury hints of liquorice and ripe black juicy fruit which all combine in a dense, brooding, almost muscular mouth-feel. Displaying some elegance too, this Cabernet-dominated wine will surely gain even more weight in barrel and it could be tremendously stunning with a bit if patience. This estate now effortlessly outperforms its designated 1855 classification.
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Chateau Pichon Lalande,
For laying down,
What a charming wine. The seductive fruit is so typical of this historic estate and I just love the enticing nose of pure cassis fruit and hints of cocoa. The ripe blackcurrant and cedar flavours combine with a touch of sweetness to produce a very generous palate.
This wine fundamentally tastes just as Pauillac should: silky, creamy and lush; ripe, fleshy and juicy. There is concentration here, as well as balance, and the cool freshness one has come to expect of wines from 2015 vintage. Really excellent.
Blend: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
This wine fundamentally tastes just as Pauillac should: silky, creamy and lush; ripe, fleshy and juicy. There is concentration here, as well as balance, and the cool freshness one has come to expect of wines from 2015 vintage. Really excellent.
Blend: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
For laying down,
Deep ruby to purple, Rauzan-Ségla’s 2015 is a wine of great finesse. It displays tasty raspberry, cherry and forest floor aromas. This is really good Margaux. All the aromatics one would expect from this great commune are held together with wonderful precision. This is really rather stylish, elegant and accessible. It is an engaging dark-fruit based wine, with a significant volume of tannin on the finish.
The length is long and fresh, with a lingering coolness. The wine displays a tension, suggesting there is more to come in the future. What a terrific effort this year, the wine is certainly very close to its more illustrious neighbours and should therefore offer tremendous value.
Blend: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
The length is long and fresh, with a lingering coolness. The wine displays a tension, suggesting there is more to come in the future. What a terrific effort this year, the wine is certainly very close to its more illustrious neighbours and should therefore offer tremendous value.
Blend: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Domaine de Chevalier,
For laying down,
The creamy blackberry nose on offer here is wonderfully attractive. There is great harmony, structure, and a lovely concentration of pure, mineral cassis fruit. There is a cool stone character here on the palate which is lovely and fresh. A hallmark of the vintage. Harmony, ripe, fleshy fruit and gorgeous juice is all present. This is such a delicate wine. Classy, elegant. Utterly elegant in fact. This is really gentle, approachable and so, so pure. A fantastic wine, this is a must-buy from the vintage.
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
For laying down,
Attractive aromas of ripe black fruit are immediately evident. Floral notes are joined by hints of cocoa and vanilla. Finesse, delicacy and fine interwoven tannins dominate the palate. There is some balance here, everything knits together tremendously. A tasty freshness emerges on the finish, quite cooling, but really welcome after the multi-layered, fruit-filled palate. Some weight and flesh are emerging, suggesting this will mature nicely in barrel. Ever so slightly sweet, this is a really delicious wine.
Blend: 58% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 58% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Haut-Brion,
For laying down,
Ch. Haut-Brion is a sublime wine in 2015. Deep black cherry and cassis aromas blend the power of Merlot with the elegance of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. A ripe blackcurrant density dominates gorgeously-textured palate whilst the succulent tannins melt towards the finish. This is precise and fine, all the elements balanced perfectly within a framework of elegance. This has a really fine richness. Focused, with a depth of fruit and tannin, this is so well balanced. An absolutely tremendous finish.
Blend: 50% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 50% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc
For laying down,
Stunning aromas of ripe, berry fruits leap from the glass here. It has a beautiful balancing acidity and a long, long finish complete the picture. On the palate there is an almost chocolate texture from the superbly ripe tannins and viscous layer of fruit. Quite sweet on the nose, there is blackcurrant fruit mixed with minerality and an earthiness. A cool freshness coats the palate on the finish.
Blend: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
For laying down,
Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (6th January 2019)