Please note, if you have not read our 2015 Vintage Report, please do so. As you will tell from the notes (listed by Château alphabetically below), we have been selective in terms of the wines we have chosen to write up – 2015 is far from a uniform success though there are some notable high points.
Aile d'Argent Blanc du Château Mouton Rothschild, Bordeaux
The white Bordeaux Aile d'Argent always shows well; the 2015 offers pronounced citrus aromas on the nose that are followed by impressive depth of grapefruit flavour. This has plenty of freshness and succulent fruit, with a gentle creaminess to the texture that soothes the bright, scented finish. Drink 2017-2026
Château Angelus, Premier Grand Cru Classé (A), St Emilion
62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc.
The 2015 Angelus is a rich, bold example; deeply-knit, with a substantial creamy core of fruit and a powerful tannic frame. The freshness here is important in maintaining poise in a markedly rich wine. Gravelly mineral nuances show on the finish and meld with the copious brambly fruit. A head-turning, powerful vintage. Drink 2021-2043
Château d'Armailhac, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
The vibrant ruby core at the heart of the glass reflects the fresh, focussed palate. There is a bright cassis fruit character typical of young Medoc and an elegant, flowing feel to the wine alongside the tannic power and ripeness of 2015. Drink 2018-2036
Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse), Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion
90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
Brooding, dark fruit on the nose and fragrant red berry notes here, too. This has a lively nature with plenty of race and a complex, floral lift. Rich and intense, the tannins are both assertive and fine-grained, making for a strong showing. Drink 2021-2041
Château Brane-Cantenac, 2ème Cru Classé, Margaux
Such an underestimated estate, the 2015 typifies Brane Cantenac’s impressive qualities. There is a pure, scented ripe cassis fruit on the nose… nothing here is overblown. The balance has terrific grace; gravelly-nuanced, dark fruit, sweet cassis, hints of creamy red fruits and a freshness throughout. This truly fine Margaux has a smooth, sleek texture - utter refinement and a markedly long finish. Drink 2022-2043
Château Calon-Ségur, 3ème Cru Classé, St Estèphe
82% Cabernet, 16% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot.
Black cherry and red berries on the nose, Calon-Ségur is a stylish wine with succulence on the palate. Full of fruit and poise, it is the vibrancy and freshness that impresses here. Drink 2021-2043
Château Canon, Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion
The 2015 has impressive fruit, defined by black berries and spice, with a supple but very persistent underlying structure. A mouthfilling palate yet still remains lifted and fresh. It is a charming wine – easy to like from barrel – exhibiting cassis, black cherry, blackberry, followed by hints of fig, damson and cinnamon. Yet, underneath the fruit, there are powerful rich tannins which will support this for several decades. Drink 2019-2041
Carruades de Lafite, Pauillac
57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.
This vintage of Carruades performs as you might expect; soft layers of appealing, vibrant dark red berry fruit with a forward, accessible accent. An elegant style with perhaps a little more concentration than found in recent vintages. It finishes with a gravelly, mineral persistence. Drink 2019-2035
Château Cheval Blanc, Premier Grand Cru Classé (A), St Emilion
55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc. No second wine made this year.
Such an impressive young wine; scented, fresh, pure, the aromatics here hint at what is to come. The palate – although dense – still maintains its lightness of touch. This is supremely elegant, with generous, velvety fruit and hints creamy milk chocolate, mocha and coffee bean. Persistent, sleek with long drawn tannins, this is a remarkably complete example. In a word: seamless. Drink 2020-2048
Château Clinet, Pomerol
90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc.
A very classy Clinet and one which extols this property's virtues. Plush, textural fruit, perfumed floral nuances and dark damson and plum fruit. Very detailed, fine-grained tannins and an appealing fresh, succulent quality to the fruit. Yes, it nods to the exotic, but there is a fine structure here and a long, persistent finish. A more refined version along the lines of the 2005 perhaps? Drink 2019-2035
Château l'Eglise-Clinet, Pomerol
The 2015 is perfumed with attractive stone fruit characters. It continues in a similar vein on the palate, which reveals soft-skinned fruits, ample in nature with an aromatic lift. Firm, underpinning tannins suggest some patience will be needed, but there is no dryness to the finish. The style here has evolved greatly in recent years; 2015 is a much improved showing. Drink 2019-2043
Château La Conseillante, Pomerol
81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc.
La Conseillante is seldom a showy wine when tasted from barrel and this is no exception. Restrained it may be – notably so if judged against some excesses – but it reveals fine purity and freshness. There is an aromatic quality to the fruit – an elegance despite its degrees – which creates a sense of impeccable balance. In its current form, this wine needs coaxing to evaluate. Given that it is often underestimated from barrel, look out for in bottle notes here as it has the potential to surprise. Drink 2018-2035
Château Les Cruzelles, Lalande-de-Pomerol
90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
Such a well-made example, Cruzelles offers scented blueberry and blackberry fruit. There is a vibrancy and freshness throughout with just a touch of spice. This is such a consistent wine year on year and always something of a bargain. Drink 2020-2030
Château d'Issan, 3ème Cru Classé, Margaux
Distinct notes of mocha and spice with plenty of cassis and blueberry fruit. This has excellent balance, with the plush nature of 2015 fruit plus the command of good Classed Growth Medoc. A fine showing, indeed. Drink 2012-2043
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge, Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan
Always a well-balanced wine marrying freshness and fruit, the 2015 has the added ripeness and richness that fills out its frame and really catches attention, more so than many wines in the region. Spice-laden aromas and flavours accompany the dark berry fruit. This is a polished wine with elegance, minerality and poise supported by a powerful structure.
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, 2ème Cru Classé, St. Julien
95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot.
2015 is an impressive vintage for Ducru. A very pure and elegant wine; the fruit is beautifully expressed, framed in gentle toast with subtle spice. With remarkably fine tannins, there is a sleekness to the finish. An exercise in refinement. Drink 2020-2043
Château l'Eglise-Clinet, Pomerol
90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
Continuing the rich vein of form at this property, the 2015 is at once fragrant and appealing. The palate is a medley of red and dark fruits; gently mouthfilling, it never loses precision. This is an impeccably refined, streamlined L'Eglise-Clinet with a building sense of structure; firmer tannins emerge on the finish. Easily among the best of the vintage. Drink 2019-2043
Château Feytit-Clinet, Pomerol
The 2015 is almost exclusively Merlot and shows the typical power and richness of this vintage – particularly in Pomerol. A dark purple hue to the colour is followed by pronounced notes of cassis, plum and blueberry. It is full-bodied but not at all heavy on the palate, with gentle acidity in the background and impressive, compact tannins at its core. Brooding dark fruits shape its character at this stage, with faint hints of mocha and fig that will mesh with the youthful structure over time. Drink 2020-2038
Château Fonplegade, Grand Cru Classé, St. Emilion
Notes of clove and spice followed by intense blackcurrant flavours on the palate. This is a full-fruited, rich wine with good structure behind to support ageing. Drink 2019-2035
Château Giscours, 3ème Cru Classé, Margaux
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot.
This has more presence compared to other years with underlying spice from oak ageing, as well as intense cherry and blackcurrant. The notes of cedar and lavender freshen the palate, but supple ripe tannin from the vintage that will promise mid to long ageing. Drink 2020-2035
Château Haut-Bailly, Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot 4% Petit Verdot.
The 2015 possesses terrific power, yet is still such an elegant representation. Layers of creamy dark fruit, sweeter blueberry too, all expressed by a real flowing nature. Nothing forced or hard-edged here. There is no classic tannin austerity, instead there is an uncommon sleekness to tannins. Such a detailed, beautiful wine… expansive yes, but refined. Drink 2020-2038
Château Haut-Brion, 1er Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan
58% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc.
Showing some restraint, this is a rich, ripe Haut-Brion, with a juicy, succulent mulberry, and damson fruit. The sense of depth impresses greatly and shows remarkable precision for such a rich wine. The density on show gradually builds and the fine, almost silky tannins present are not overly assertive. That subtle balance between power and restraint is admirably showcased here. Drink 2020-2043
Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan
An impressive vintage for La Mission and Haut Brion. A more overtly powerful style here than its stablemate with brooding dark fruit backed by mineral and graphite notes. It certainly has the richness and structure expected of a fine vintage, although there is a sense that it needs to knit. The tannin quality impresses, as it exerts a firm, yet fine grip. It will be interesting to see how this develops and it certainly offers fine potential. Drink 2020-2048
Château Lafite-Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé, Pauillac
91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot.
Floral aromatics at the fore, backed by dark berry and sweet cassis. This is a sleek, refined Lafite with a pleasing sense of harmony. As usual, it is never the easiest to taste en primeur, seemingly a little shy. Analytically, this is a remarkably concentrated Lafite. The tasting impression is one of succulent, ripe fruit with a touch of graphite to the finish. There is a lightness of touch about this vintage; it will be interesting to see if it fleshes out with time in barrel. Drink 2025-2048
Château Léoville-Las-Cases, 2ème Cru Classé, St. Julien
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot.
The dark colour of this wine pre-empts very dark fruit aromas. The glass abounds with blackberry, cherry, cassis and damson before hints of long barrel-ageing reveal themselves: a touch of vanilla bean, sweet spice and mocha. As is often the case with Léoville Las Cases, it is a rather strict wine early on, with a structured, tannic core that is further emphasized by the power of the vintage. It also has lively acidity that suggests considerable longevity, but makes it far from approachable in the short-term. Long, pure Cabernet Sauvignon cassis and berry fruit flavours define the finish.
Château Léoville-Poyferré, 2ème Cru Classé, St. Julien
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc.
The nose reveals beautifully ripe forest fruits and gentle hints of plum and damson. The palate is similar in character but embellished with herb and spice complexity that lingers on the finish. It is a generous, supple, attractive wine with mouth-filling dark fruit, rich tannin, and a finely-woven feel to the length. Drink 2022-2043
Château Lynch-Bages, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
Sappy, juicy with good depth and classical proportions, Lynch Bages reveals brooding dark fruits on the nose and palate. Both bright and vibrant, the freshness here renders this a very attractive Lynch. The tannins gradually assert and show fine-grain and detail. With plenty of promise, Lynch Bages 2015 proves to be an interesting vintage. Drink 2019-2043
Château Margaux, 1er Cru Classé, Margaux
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
The 2015 is such a detailed wine; it is effortless in nature and is as graceful as they come. Vibrant, generous berry fruit builds on the palate with a cushioned, velvety tannin quality that just heightens the sense of elegance. It possesses a lifted, persistent quality throughout. If the greatest wines are built on a sense of harmony and symmetry, this vintage qualifies with ease. Drink 2020-2043
Château Montrose, 2ème Cru Classé, St. Estèphe
67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc.
A very refined example which delivers a dark, brooding fruit with an appealing juicy quality. This fresh, streamlined Montrose and – while not offering the bold, concentrated fruit nor the bigger frame of a great vintage – it is a remarkably complete style with a marked silkiness to its tannins. There is a sense of something held in reserve here… a more classically proportioned Montrose nonetheless. Drink 2021-2048
Château Mouton-Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé, Pauillac
82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.
It's impenetrably deep red colour is followed by lifted notes of spice, vanillin, blackberry and chocolate. Mouton-Rothschild 2015 is one of the most assertive left-bank wines that we tasted, with possibly the richest fruit on the mid-palate of all the First-Growths. Extremely polished style with huge structure of tannin and a long, powerful finish. Drink 2021-2043
Château Palmer, 3ème Cru Classé, Margaux
A highly successful vintage for Palmer, the 2015 reveals a generous, vibrant fruit and tobacco leaf, coffee bean and spice. The velvety tannins are remarkably fine and create a terrific texture. This has an untypical raciness and energy that is not always on show at Palmer. The generosity of fruit is allied to a firm, yet fine structure. An outstanding vintage, the density here is surprising… such poise throughout. Drink 2021-2043
Château Pavie-Macquin, Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion
84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc.
Pavie-Macquin is invariably a powerful style, always aromatic and often showing a terrific race and poise. 2015 is no exception; floral notes, deep, dark stone fruit characters and bold, fine-grained tannins. It is never particularly easy to taste in its youth, but all the components are present for an impressive vintage. Wonderful mineral-nuanced tannins to the finish. Drink 2020-2035
La Petite Eglise, Pomerol
100% Merlot.
Perfumed aromatics with attractive red stone-fruit characters. There is an appealing accessibility about this vintage and the classic Durantou hallmarks of crunchy, fresh fruit with great poise… whatever the level. Drink 2017-2027
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, Paulliac
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.
Hints of spice, herb and wood smoke show the potential complexity that this 'second wine' will achieve. It is a broad-structured wine compared to some years, with a depth of flavour will easily keep pace with the best Châteaux in the 2015 vintage. Ripe tannins, mocha and cassis are followed by a very long finish that will age well in the mid-long term. Drink 2018-2033
Château Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, 2ème Cru Classé, Pauillac
68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
This is a ripe, perfumed style of Pichon Lalande which offers a layered, mouth-filling fruit with that tell-tale lush accent that can be typical of the estate in more generous vintages. The tannins exert a youthful grip and add to the seamless palate feel. Indeed, the impression is of a silky, generous Pauillac which captures a touch of opulence. Drink 2020-2043
Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux
100% Sauvignon Blanc.
All the better for a reduction in oak, down 20%. The aromas here are all typical peach, apricot and grapefruit, too. A cleaner cut style of Pavillon Blanc – refined, pure with a more verve. An expressive wine with an appealing fruit and a mineral nuanced finish. Long, pure and carried by a beautiful wave of acidity. Drink 2019-2033
Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux, Margaux
74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc.
For the first time in a long time Pavillon Rouge is Cabernet dominant and all the better for it. The sweet attack is fine-tuned with a plump nature to the fruit. The racy qualities of Cabernet on this terroir come through and lend a gentle grip. There is an impressive persistence to the fruit here which mingles with mineral nuances on the finish. Drink 2019-2033
Château Pontet-Canet, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
An impressive vintage for Pontet. That unmistakable perfumed accent to its ripe berry fruit is in evidence. On the palate, it shows a good volume of fruit; generous with a lifted fragrant quality, too. Sleek tannins, gravelly nuances and a juicy note summer berry compote. Very fine-tuned, a compelling vintage on this showing. Drink 2019-2038
Château Rauzan-Segla, 2ème Cru Classé, Margaux
A rich, fruit-driven palate combining both red and black fruits and touch of graphite. In terms of structure’ this is a heavyweight Rauzan-Segla compared to some of the more modest vintages recently. Drink 2018-2035
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Reserve de la Comtesse
A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. This vintage of Reserve is hard to resist; it shows a generous, supple natured fruit combining the soft stone-fruited characters of Merlot, with elements of cassis and race from Cabernet. Impressive for its level given the purity on show. Drink 2020-2038
Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
Another fine showing from SHL. Offering scented aromas of fresh cherry as well as admirable ripeness. The palate is packed with a markedly velvety texture and fine-grained tannins. This represents a strong vintage for the estate; there is a tautness to the structure, with expressive ripe fruit offset wonderfully by the freshness inherent in the best 2015s. Beautifully balanced and on tighter lines than normal. Drink 2020-2038
Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc, Pessac-Léognan
90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon.
Revealing terrifically pure grapefruit, peach and citrus on the nose, the palate follows in a similar fashion. What is striking here is the clarity and intensity... the palate is taut and lively and simply refuses to fade on the finish. A striking example of a wine that rarely gains the attention it deserves. Drink 2019-2033
Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol
80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2015 VCC shows terrific poise. It possesses a wealth of fruit with a finely-judged ripeness. The raciness of Cabernet Franc is key in creating tension this vintage and offsets the ripe, generous Merlot. This sleek, sophisticated style shines; refined soft-skinned berry fruit in abundance framed by remarkably fine tannins. Like the best of 2015, this has a lightness of touch and wonderful aromatic freshness despite its degrees. Drink 2019-2038
Château Petit Figeac, St. Emilion
48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot.
Another successful 'second' wine in 2015 it is somewhat atypical of its commune in that such a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon is used in this Merlot dominant area. Drink 2018-2025
Click here for our Bordeaux 2015 Vintage Report
Simon Larkin MW
Managing Director
and
Victoria Stephens Clarkson MW
Head of Buying