2015 Bordeaux: Our Top 42 Picks Red + Sweet White


Of the 1000’s of wines made in Bordeaux we’ve picked out our favourites from the 2015 Vintage.
The Epic Computer Deep Thought helped us to narrow it down to just 42 Wines!

I love making list like these! Brings back so many tasty memories. Full of my favourites from the Left Bank, Right Bank, and, a few Sauternes.

Check out my double exposed pic’s in the Mouton and Pichon-Lalande reviews, yep, that’s right boys and girls and film camera!

At Yarra Yering we devoured Bordeaux in verticals, horizontals, appellations, growths. We were pushing to achieve excellence with the Dry Red No.1 Cabernet blend. Tasting the best from the world was essential.

Exploring the wines per and post 1982, and, before and after key changes in the winemaking teams is an education in itself. A classic example being the wines of Margaux before and after Paul Pontalier’s leadership of the winemaking.

One of the areas we began pushing, following these ‘Tastings’ was texture. The wines on the list have historically had exceptional mouthfeel.

It’s not just the memories. It’s the ability to snag a little bargain. The aforementioned Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande for $399 at 98+ compares well to Mouton at $1400 at 97+ Points. There’s a heap of sub $200 95 and above wines as well as the Classic 1st and Super Seconds.

What you are about to explore is a list of some of the worlds best Bordeaux blends extracting the very best from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot + some of the very best sweet whites of the world.

There are quite a few mags and half bottle options too!

The flyovers of the regions are EPIC! Pierre Le Hong is a LEGEND!

Enjoy and shout out if you need any help.

All wines are in stock and ready for delivery, weather permitting. Both of our warehouses are climate controlled and we will not compromise wines by shipping when the weather is hot!

All pricing is best net whether you buy one or a million.

Just in case you missed it on social media, my cryptic imagery is explained in the video below!

The 2015 Vintage

2015 goes toe to toe with 2010 and 2009.

Two thousand fifteen has turned out to be a fabulous vintage for Bordeaux. A dry, hot summer followed by late-season rains introduced a degree of variability in some of Bordeaux’s main appellations, but where sites were well positioned to cope with those challenges, the wines are absolutely thrilling… The finest 2015s are wonderfully sensual, exotic wines that should drink well relatively early and also reward aging. Antonio Galloni

We could go through each appellation one by one, but, frankly, I prefer to play the wine rather than the generalisation because Vintage Charts suck & there are better ways!

The Varieties of Red Bordeaux

There are 5 permissible varieties in Red Bordeaux, making what is called the Bordeaux blend. They vary considerably in their flavours, tannin profiles, and, most significantly the order in which they ripen. As a generalisation, the Left Bank, including the Medoc and Pessac-Léognan / Graves tend to use Cabernet as their backbone. The right bank, including, Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, Merlot as there backbone.

The below commentary on the varieties is a generalisation. Each of the varieties will express a little differently in each appellation, and, individual vineyards in the hands of mother nature, and, the vignerons and winemakers of the Château.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The backbone of the warmer left bank, the later ripening Cabernet Sauvignon has long linear tannins that run the length of your palate. It is responsible for those blackcurrant / cassis fruits, and, is the only variety that produces methoxypyrazines responsible for the herbaceous, vegetal, grassy, capsicum aroma. Sauvignon Blanc is the other notable variety to produce methoxypyrazines. These flavours and aromas decrease through the exposure of the fruit to heat and sun.

Extended post-fermentation maceration is near universal for the variety in Bordeaux. The process where the wine is left in contact with the skins following the completion of the alcoholic fermentation. This allows the slow introduction of oxygen and it’s interaction with the soup of tannins in the wine. It softens and lengthens tannins, develops the fruit characteristics, and, introduces a second layer of aromas and flavours, flowers, violets, earthiness and beyond.

At Yarra Yering we’d look for flowers, and, a pencil shaving character to indicate the best time to press the wine. The pencil shaving character was short-lived, a sign of early oxidation and the wine would immediately freshen on pressing. The feel of the cap of skins would also be a helpful indicator that the post-fermentation maceration was almost at its end. Texture being the obvious final factor.

Merlot

The backbone of the cooler right bank wine, the earlier ripening Merlot, has softer, more supple tannins, less overt fruit characters than Cabernet Sauvignon, showing more restraint. Again, it benefits from extended post-fermentation maceration.

In Australia, large plantings of Merlot were actually incorrectly identified Cabernet Franc!

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc in Australia is often referred to as a weed! It tends to make insipid wines lacking depth and importance. In Bordeaux it can be something special, anyone who’s had a good bottle of Cheval Blanc will know what I’m talking about. Earlier ripening, it tends to have softer suppler tannins like Merlot, and, be framed with slightly rawer tannins.

Malbec

Malbec is perhaps the broadest in fruit characters, richness, and, generosity, adding, a lovely spice to the wines.

Petit Verdot

The little green one is the last to ripen and is typically a very small component in any Bordeaux blend. As the name suggests it is known for its acidity. Again extended post-fermentation maceration is key to releasing a lovely perfume and softening the tannins.

Where in the World Are They?

Play around with this interactive map of Bordeaux.

Left Bank

On the left bank of the Gironde River, you’ll find the main regions of the Medoc, and, Pesssac-Léognan & Graves. Sauternes

The Medoc

The Medoc sits to the north of the city of Bordeaux. Note how flat it is and how it is surrounded by two massive bodies of water with the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Gironde River to the east of the Medoc wine regions.

The flyover below covers the Médoc from the north, running through the main appellations of Saint-Estephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux with all of the intermediate appellations.

Pesssac-Léognan & Graves

Resting south of the city of Bordeaux. Pesssac-Léognan & Graves follow the river and move inland. At the south of the region, the appellations of Sauternes and Barsac, making their outstanding botrytis sweet wines.

Right Bank

Saint-Émillion

Although specific to the four Châteaux Thienpont/Derenoncourt the fly-over below helps place Saint-Émillion in relation to Pomerol, it’s neighbour, and the vineyards of the Medoc, and, Pesssac-Léognan & Graves

Pomerol

Pomerol on the right bank is considerably smaller than Saint-Émillion. The fly-over below covers the major geological sub-regions of Pomerol and shows where each of the important Châteaus is located


About the Wines


Left Bank First Growths

Lafite-Rothschild

96+

Rich, powerful and enveloping, the 2015 Lafite-Rothschild is endowed with serious volume and textural resonance. Super-ripe plum, smoke and spice notes emerge in the glass, but only with great reluctance. Although the aromatics aren't giving much at this point, the palate is much more expressive. The wine's sheer power and authoritative tone result in an unusually dramatic Lafite. The 2015 is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot that spent 20 months in oak, which is a bit more than the norm.

Antonio Galloni

99 Points

Lead and graphite are complimented by notes of blueberries and blackberries. Blackcurrants, too. Full-bodied and focused with very round and polished tannins. Elegance with power. Very classic nature for Lafite. Try in 2022. 100 in his top 100 for 2018

James Suckling

Mouton-Rothschild

Classic moment in old school film photography. Double exposed film with Mouton-Rothschild’s 1st year barrel cellar faintly in the background of a shot with the a few of the winery crew from Moldova!

97+ Points

In 2015, Mouton Rothschild is fabulous. A big, towering wine, the 2015 makes its presence felt with layers of super-ripe dense fruit and striking textural resonance that carries all the way through to the finish. The 2015 is much more reticent from bottle than it was from barrel, which is not at all surprising, but is something readers should take into account. Even with all of its obvious intensity, the 2015 Mouton is a wine of classically inspired proportions. I can't wait to taste it in another 15-20 years. The 2015 is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc that spend 19 months in 100% new French oak.

Antonio Galloni

99 Points

Decadent and rich aromas of black cherries and plums with wet earth and sandalwood. Turns to dried mushrooms. Full-bodied, tight and closed with big, polished tannins, yet this is very closed and shy right now. Despite this, underneath it shows such depth and beauty. Tangy acidity. This is a combination of 2005 and 2009. Try it in 2024. 91 in his top 100 for 2018

James Suckling

Haut-Brion

98 Points


A huge, dramatic wine, the 2015 Haut-Brion is magnificent. Vertical in its construction and towering in its reach, the 2015 is going to need a good decade-plus to even start becoming approachable, as it needs to lose baby fat and develop the full range of its aromatics. Even at this early stage, though, it is wonderfully complete and positively stunning.

Antonio Galloni

Margaux

Look for suppler, softer and more immediate generous wines from Margaux.

Brane-Cantenac

96 Points

The 2015 Brane-Cantenac is powerful, structured and explosive in feel. A deep, resonant wine, the 2015 boasts off the charts ripeness allied to formidable structure and tannic heft. I imagine the 2015 is going to need a number of years to become approachable and more than that to be at its best. The dark stone fruit, smoke, tobacco, spice and leather flavors pack a huge punch, but it is the wine's balance that places it among the elite on the Left Bank in 2015. Brane-Cantenac is a total pleasure bomb. I can't wait to taste it with a little bottle age.

Antonio Galloni

d'Issan

95+ Points


The 2015 d'Issan is a total knock-out. Spectacularly ripe and intense, the 2015 exudes richness in all of its dimensions. Super-ripe dark plum, lavender, spice, savory herbs, iron, smoke and new leather add myriad shades of nuance to this super-ripe, decidedly hedonistic Margaux. A powerful, dense wine, the 2015 is going to need a number of years before it is close to being ready to drink. I was quite impressed with d'Issan both times I tasted it. The 2015 has really come along nicely. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, aged in 50% new oak. Eric Boissenot consults.

Antonio Galloni

Palmer

97 Points

The 2015 Palmer is a wine of total refinement and class. All the elements are wonderfully meshed together, as they always have been from the very start. Dark black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, spice and leather notes are all seamless in the glass. The tannins are present, but they are silky and pretty much buried by the sheer luxuriousness of the fruit. Palmer is one of the most complete and harmonious wines of 2015. This is a brilliant effort from Thomas Duroux and his team.

Antonio Galloni

100 Points

I am breathless with the dark-berry, lavender and burnt-orange aromas. Some salt. Just so formidable and deep. Stunningly sexy on the palate with a density and power, yet it leaves things so clean and bright. You want to drink it and enjoy it now, but it has the structure to last forever. Drink in 2022. 48 in his Top 100 for 2018

James Suckling

Saint-Julien

Look for rich, balanced wines of moderate structure from Saint-Julien

Branaire-Ducru

95 Points

The 2015 Branaire Ducru is a gorgeous, totally sexy wine. Rose petal, lavender, mint, sweet red berry and gently spiced notes give the wine much of its gracious, lilting personality. Precise and nuanced to the core, the 2015 Branaire is all class. It's easy to overlook Brainaire in the context of Saint-Julien, where most of the other important wines are much more powerful. Branaire always speaks with a hushed, discreet voice. Readers who appreciate finesse will find much to admire here. The 2015 is a wine of pure and total sensual pleasure. In 2015, the blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. Don't miss it. Tasted two times.

Antonio Galloni

Ducru-Beaucaillou

98 Points

The 2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou is phenomenally great. Inky, powerful and explosive, the 2015 pulses with energy in all of its dimensions. Creme de cassis, blackberry jam, graphite, smoke, leather and incense, along with the wine's muscular tannins, convey an impression of brooding intensity. The 2015 has been nothing short of sensational on the two occasions I have tasted it so far. Readers should be prepared to be patient. Don't miss it!

Antonio Galloni

Léoville Barton

Antony Barton, I believe, if the origin of the saying ‘A good wine is one that goes well with a lamb chop!’

96+ Points

A dense, powerful wine, the 2015 Léoville-Barton is going to need quite a bit of time to come together, as it is massively tannic and structured at this stage.

Antonio Galloni

Léoville Las-Cases

98 Points

The 2015 Léoville Las Cases is simply captivating. Sumptuous, racy and explosive in the glass, the 2015 is endowed with tremendous energy from start to finish. An exotic melange of crème de cassis, graphite, menthol and licorice bursts onto the palate as the 2015 shows off its alluring personality. Spectacularly rich, dense and full-throttle, with huge tannins that are nearly buried underneath the fruit, the 2015 is an unusual Las Cases. It is also breathtakingly beautiful. Readers who can find it should not miss it.

Antonio Galloni

Léoville-Poyferré

97 Points

The 2015 Léoville-Poyferré is spectacular. Inky, dense and explosive, the 2015 possesses off the chart richness, with soft contours, no hard edges and exceptional balance. All the elements are simply fused together. inky blue/purplish fruit, chocolate, new leather, blueberry jam, exotic spice and violet notes are all beautifully delineated throughout. Fresh, vibrant and totally sexy, Léoville-Poyferré is one of the wines of the vintage. Don't miss it! Tasted two times.

Antonio Galloni

Pauillac

Look for wines of great power and stucture from Pauillac.

Grand Puy Lacoste

95 Points

The 2015 Grand Puy Lacoste is just as compelling from bottle as it was from barrel. Sensual, polished and refined, the 2015 is all class. Silky tannins, perfumed aromatics and beautifully delineated fruit are some of the signatures. The natural richness of the year comes through nicely, but without overpowering the wine's mid-weight sense of structure. This is a fabulous example of the year.

Antonio Galloni

Lynch Bages

96 Points

One of the finest Pauillacs of 2015, Lynch-Bages is rich, racy and voluptuous. A rush of dark red and purplish stone fruit, mint, new leather, spice and blood orange give the 2015 a very decidedly exotic character that is impossible to miss. Raspberry jam, mocha, new leather and expressive floral notes appear with time in the glass, rounding things out nicely. Even though the 2015 is quite forward and open at this stage, the wine has plenty of stuffing as well as the underlying structure to support many years of exceptional drinking. This is a stellar showing for Lynch-Bages.

Antonio Galloni

Pichon-Longueville Baron

97 Points

A dramatic, sweeping wine, the Pichon-Longueville Baron is even better from bottle than it was from barrel. The 2015 is dense, plush and totally voluptuous as it sweeps across the palate to make its presence known. Nuanced and poised, with seemingly endless layers of nuance, the 2015 is super-impressive. A melange of dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, mint, spice and rose petal builds as this towering, dramatic Pauillac shows off its allure. In 2015, Pichon Baron is endowed with spectacular balance and class. This is quite simply a brilliant showing from the 2015.

Antonio Galloni

Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Double exposed film showing the vineyards of Latour from the terrace of Pichon-Lalande with me in tank farm in Moldova in the background. You can just see the Gironde River in the distance.

This picture was taken shortly before we went through a door to the 2nd year Chai where the wine matures in barrel. Moments late, we were promptly thrown out of the area by a security guard! My French has improved a little since then.

98+ Points

The 2015 Pichon Comtesse is a towering wine, as it has always been. Rich, sumptuous and totally hedonistic, the 2015 melds together intense fruit with structure. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2015 is going to need a number of years and will then drink well for several decades. Grilled herbs, smoke, new leather and licorice are some of the many notes that are layered into the dark-fleshed fruit for complexity. As good as the 2015 is today, it also has room to grow. Technical Director Nicolas Glumineau has done a tremendous job with the 2015s at Pichon Comtesse. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in oak, 55% new.

Antonio Galloni

97 Points

This shows spices, pepper, blueberries and blackcurrants on the nose. Full body, very polished tannins and a long and beautiful finish. Shows such gorgeous texture. Precise and transparent. Try in 2022.

James Suckling

Pontet-Canet

97+

Proprietor Alfred Tesseron and winemaker Jean-Michel Comme produced an absolutely stellar Pontet-Canet in 2015. Sumptuous, racy and totally inviting, the 2015 is all class. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, spice and exotic floral notes build as the 2015 shows off its alluring personality. Even with all of its raciness, the 2015 speaks with authority and power. Fine tannins extend the persistent, highly nuanced finish. The 2015 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot aged 50% new oak, 4% in terra cotta and 15% in neutral oak. Tasted three times.

Antonio Galloni

98 Points

So much floral and dark-fruit character with almonds and walnut shell. Full body and ultra-fine tannins. Powerful. Classic style with a harmony and energy. Goes on for minutes. A superb wine with great fruit. Real Bordeaux. Try in 2025.

James Suckling

Pesssac-Léognan & Graves

Expect more restraint with moderate structure from Pesssac-Léognan & Graves

Domaine de Chevalier

97 Points


One of the stars of the vintage, the 2015 Domaine de Chevalier has turned out even better than I expected. Bright floral notes give striking aromatic lift to the rich, sumptuous fruit. A marvelously complete wine, the 2015 is racy and silky on the palate, yet also has tremendous freshness. Bright red cherry, blood orange, white pepper, spice and dried flowers build into the super-expressive finish. The 2015 has been nothing less than stunning the three times I have tasted it so far. This is a tremendous showing from proprietor Olivier Bernard and his team. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Tasted three times.

Antonio Galloni

Haut-Bailly

97 Points

Once again, I am absolutely stunned by how vivid the 2015 Haut-Bailly is. Bright, red-toned fruit and floral overtones convey freshness. Deep and unctuous in the glass, with tremendous concentration, the 2015 has more than enough clout to age well for several decades. It will need at least a few years in bottle to be truly enjoyable.

Antonio Galloni

98 Points

This is an incredible young red with precision and focus that is second to almost none. Full body with a ultra-fine tannin drive that is seamless as it is endless. It ends with such power. Try in 2024 but already impressive to taste.

James Suckling

La Mission Haut-Brion

96+ Points

The 2015 La Mission Haut-Brion is every bit the wine I had hoped it would be. Rich, dramatic and powerful, it exudes intensity in all of its many dimensions. Naturally, the aromatics that make La Mission so compelling have not even begun to develop. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2015 for at least a decade, although I suspect the wine won't be ready to drink before age 20, as it clearly needs to shed some baby fat. A heady mélange of black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and tobacco builds into the dramatic, deeply expressive finish.

Antonio Galloni

100 Points

Rose petals, sandalwood and currants with some plums and fruit tea. Full-bodied, tight and focused. Incredibly straight and minerally. Toned muscles here. Tannic. Traditional and unwavering. Try in 2024. 45 in his Top 100 for 2018

James Suckling

Pape Clément

99 Points

The clarity to this wine is impressive. Wealth of dark-plum and black-fruit essence not to mention orange citrus. Everything is dialed up to the limit here but then dialed in on the palate. Such impressive depth and suave, ripe, fluid tannins that deliver impressive length. Great wine. Such polish. Superb. Try from 2022. 41 in his Top 100 for 2018.

James Suckling

Smith-Haut-Lafitte

99 Points

The currants and blackberries on the nose are very impressive with wet-earth and lavender undertones. Full body and super-integrated tannins that melt into the wine. The quality of the tannins is incredible with fantastic length and mouthfeel. So much concentration and balance at the same time. Such beauty. From biodynamic grapes. This is the greatest wine ever from here. Drink in 2022. 50 in his Top 100 for 2018

James Suckling

Right Bank - Saint-Émilion

Expect full, broader, less linear, and, more supple mouthfeel from Saint-Émilion’s Merlot dominant wines.

Angélus

95+ Points

Readers will have to be very patient with the 2015 Angélus. Massively tannic and forbidding, Angélus is one of the most reticent, unyielding 2015s I tasted. The high percentage of Cabernet Franc, the approach to extraction, aging in the cellar - which involves minimal racking and low S02 - and slightly late bottling are some of the factors that result in a huge, powerful, impenetrable wine at this stage. Even so, the 2015 exudes concentration and depth. Time in the glass brings out some of the wine's unctuousness, but it will be at least a decade before the 2015 is ready to deliver true drinking pleasure.

Antonio Galloni

Ausone

97-100 Points

The 2015 Ausone is the embodiment of class. A seamless, mind-blowing wine, the Ausone boasts extraordinary purity and finesse. The flavors are deep and unctuous throughout, and yet the wine is remarkably vivid. A host of sweet floral notes and exotic spices are fused into the eternal finish. In 2015, Ausone is as good as it gets. Readers who can find the 2015 should not hesitate, as it is truly magnificent. All I can tell readers is that it took the most extraordinary discipline to spit this wine during my tasting. It is every bit that profound. The 2015 is 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot that will spend 20 months in French oak, 85% new. The Merlot was brought in between September 29 and October 2, while the Franc came in between October 8 and 10.

Antonio Galloni

Bélair-Monange

Château Bélair-Monange traces its origins back to Roman times. Situated at the highest point of Saint-Émilion’s famed limestone plateau, it has long been considered one of the region’s very best crus. By 1850 it was ranked by Cocks & Feret as the leading wine of Saint-Émilion, a position it held well into the twentieth century.

Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix purchased the iconic Château in 2008 and immediately undertook extensive renovations of the vineyard, winery, underground quarries, and château in order to restore the cru to its rightful historic status.

In 2012, Château Magdelaine, a contiguous Premier Grand Cru Classé acquired by Jean-Pierre Moueix in 1952, was merged into Château Bélair-Monange. The name ‘Monange,’ in addition to its literal translation, ‘my angel,’ was the maiden name of Jean-Pierre Moueix’s mother, Anne-Adèle, the first Moueix woman to call Saint-Émilion her home.

Château Bélair-Monange combines the terroirs of the most privileged sites of Saint-Émilion. The limestone from the central plateau parcels offers freshness, minerality, and delicate, lingering aromatics, while the dense, blue clay of the slopes provides intensity, length, and a unique elegance to the wine.

98 Points

A huge, intense Saint-Émilion, the Bélair-Monange is just as impressive from bottle as it was from cask. That's the good news. The not-so-good news is that the wine is going to need at least a decade to shed some of its considerable baby fat. A rush of super-ripe black cherry, game, smoke and tobacco hits the palate as this dramatic, unrestrained Saint-Émilion shows off its explosive personality. The 2015 speaks with an assertive voice that demands attention – and it got mine, that’s for sure. The blend is 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc.

Antonio Galloni

100 Points

Blue fruits, minerals, lavender and licorice aromas are wonderful. Full body and ultra-refined tannins with an integration and refinement that make the wines seamless and beautiful. The powerful tannins hide from you at first, but what structure in the end. It goes on for minutes. Try in 2024. 2 in his Top 100 for 2018.

James Suckling

Bellevue Mondotte

96+ Points

The 2015 Bellevue Mondotte remains the most tannic and brooding of Gérard Perse's three top Saint-Émilions. Inky blue/purplish fruit, graphite, menthol, licorice, plum and crème de cassis infuse the sumptuous Bellevue Mondotte, which is remarkably nuanced for such a potent wine. Despite its considerable intensity, the 2015 packs a real punch, especially in its searing tannins. Readers will have to be patient with this muscular wine. I can't wait to taste it in another handful of years. The blend is 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from 50-year-old vines. Yields were 20 hectoliters per hectare.

Antonio Galloni

Canon La Gaffelière

97

The 2015 Canon La Gaffelière is deep, powerful and explosive. Seamless and captivating in the glass, it possesses magnificent richness, volume and intensity in every dimension. The Cabernet Franc, usually such a strong signature, is nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the Merlot fruit. Espresso, mocha, licorice and plum infuse the racy finish. The 2015 is going to need the better part of a decade to be expressive. Tasted two times.

Antonio Galloni

Cheval-Blanc

99 Points

Totally seamless in the glass, with no beginning and no end, the 2015 Cheval Blanc is simply extraordinary. It's hard to describe the 2015, because all of its elements are so perfectly in place. Beautifully delineated aromatics make a strong opening statement. Vibrant and wonderfully nuanced on the palate, the wine exudes energy and vitality through to the persistent, silky finish. Many other 2015s speak with more assertiveness and volume, but Cheval Blanc is more understsated. In 2015, Cheval Blanc created quite a stir in announcing that a whopping 91% of their crop would be bottled as Grand Vin. There will be no Petit Cheval, while the rest of the wine was sold internally.

Antonio Galloni

La Gaffelière

97 Points

The 2015 La Gaffelière is a wine of total finesse. Much less obvious and overt than most Saint-Émilions in this vintage, La Gaffelière makes its case on harmony and grace above all else. Bright, lifted Cabernet Franc–infused aromatics give the 2015 striking freshness and aromatic presence. The flavors are bright and nuanced to the core, with plenty of red cherry, espresso and floral notes. But back to the basics. In 2015 La Gaffelière is a wine that stands out because of its impeccable balance and sense of proportion. I loved it. Tasted two times.

Antonio Galloni

La Conseillante

97 Points

Newly-arrived Technical Director Marielle Cazaux turned out a jewel of a wine at La Conseillante in 2015, her debut vintage. A polished and super-sophisticated Pomerol, La Conseillante is all class. Precise, lifted aromatics make a strong first impression, but it is the wine's overall feel and sense of harmony that truly dazzle. Over the last two years, the 2015 seems to have gained in freshness, precision and nuance. What a wine! The blend is 81% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc. Don't' miss it.

Antonio Galloni

Figeac

97 Points

One of the real standouts of the vintage, the 2015 Figeac soars out of the glass with stunning aromatic presence and beautifully layered fruit. Powerful and yet also light on its feet, it is wonderfully complex from start to finish. Plum, mocha, spice, new leather and menthol gradually open up, but the 2015 is most remarkable for its sensual perfume and exceptional overall balance. This is the first vintage the winemaking team followed a new protocol designed to maintain purity of fruit and aromas by reducing contact with oxygen during the first year of aging. The 2015 Figeac is magnificent.

Antonio Galloni

Larcis-Ducasse

99 Points

The aromas to this are phenomenal with oyster shell, blackberries, iodine and black truffles. Full-bodied, layered and so refined and intense. Love the texture and intensity. Chalky. Amazing. Goes on for minutes. Try in 2023. 81 in his top 100 for 2018

James Suckling

La Mondotte

96 Points

The 2015 La Mondotte emerges from Stephan von Neipperg's tiny 4.5 hectare vineyard on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau. A huge, unctuous wine, the 2015 is simply stunning. All the elements meld together in an effortless, concentrated wine endowed with magnificent intensity and power. Totally seamless in the glass, the 2015 possesses superb richness and the pedigree to age well for many years. Tasted two times.

Antonio Galloni

Pavie

98 Points

Heady, exotic and absolutely compelling, the 2015 Pavie is one of the standouts of the vintage. Soaring aromatics meld into a core of super-ripe red plum, cherry jam, rose petal, mint and lavender in this sensual, voluptuous Saint-Émilion. Even with all of its flamboyance, the 2015 possesses remarkable nuance and delineation. This is an overwhelmingly beautiful wine that seduces both the intellectual and hedonistic senses. Don't miss it. Tasted two times.

Antonio Galloni

100 Points

This is really something. Sort of speechless when I taste it. It shows evocative aromas of wet earth, oyster shell, dust, tile, blackberries and blueberries. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a length and intensity that is so, so fine. A wine in perfect harmony. Complete. Hard not not to drink. Energetic and balanced. Better to wait for 10 years. Try in 2028. 37 in his Top 100 for 2018.

James Suckling

Pavie Decesse

98 Points

Gérard Perse's 2015 Pavie-Decesse is just as compelling from bottle as it was from barrel, if not more so. Lifted, gracious and super-refined, the 2015 captures the richness of the year with the support of cool, mineral-driven notes from the calcaire-rich soils. Super-ripe red cherry, blood orange, rose petal and mint are some of the many notes that are woven together. In 2015, Pavie-Decesse is a wine of pure and total class. Don't miss it!

Antonio Galloni

Pavie-Maquin

98 Points

So much violet and lilac aromas to this with blackberry and blueberry character, too. Full-bodied and delivering limestone, chalk and lavender on the palate. Great structure, too. Needs four or five years to soften. Better in 2022. 95 in his Top 100 for 2018

James Suckling

Péby-Faugères

99 Points

A very intense yet playfully ripe and balanced expression of dark plums, dark stones and blackberries. Then wait for the dark, leafy notes of dark tea and charcoal as well as deeply integrated wood aromas of violets and cloves. The palate moves on a very energized and fluid bed of tannin that builds very smoothly into an ascending finish. Plush, impressive and very composed. Super long and focused finish. Try from 2022. 46 in his Top 100 for 2018.

James Suckling

Troplong Mondot

97 Points

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2015 Troplong Mondot has come together beautifully over the last year and half. Rich and sumptuous to the core, it is a classic wine from this property, built on serious fruit density and textural richness. Dark red cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather and spice are some of the many notes that build as the 2015 shows off its irrepressible personality. A viscerally exciting, resonant wine, it just needs a few years to shed some of its baby fat. Tasted two times.

Antonio Galloni

Pomerol

As with Saint-Émilion, expect full, broader, less linear, and, more supple mouthfeel from Pomerol’s Merlot dominant wines. Perhaps with a little more restraint.

Clinet

96 Points

A dramatic, sweeping Pomerol, the 2015 Clinet is ample, racy and voluptuous from the very first taste. Those qualities are going to make the 2015 nearly impossible to resist young. Readers who can wait will be rewarded with a racy, deeply layered Pomerol of the highest level. For now, the raciness of the dark red cherry and plum fruit suggests a very bright future. Hints of rose petal, mint and licorice add the closing shades of nuance. What a gorgeous wine this is.

Antonio Galloni

99

An immaculate wine with pristine blackberries and dark plums as well as fresh, earthy nuances and dark crushed violets. An upright palate with lightly peppery dark berries and plums. The inflection of cabernet here makes for an impressively powerful wine that still exudes Pomerol’s suave, seductive charm. Chalky, seamless tannins. Super fresh. Try from 2022. 45 in his Top 100 for 2018.

James Suckling

L'Eglise-Clinet

99 Points

The 2015 L'Eglise-Clinet is one of the wines of the vintage. Even better from bottle than it was from barrel, the 2015 towers out of the glass with stunning power and richness. Super-ripe black cherry, plum, licorice, tobacco and menthol are some of the many notes pulse through this riveting Pomerol. There is plenty of structure, but the tannins are nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the fruit. Hints of lavender, smoke, spice, licorice reappear to round out the finish. L'Eglise-Clinet is 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, aged in 70% new oak. More importantly, the 2015 is a total pleasure bomb. This a fabulous wine from Denis Durantou. Don't miss it.

Antonio Galloni

L'Évangile

97 Points


One of the highlights of the year, the 2015 L'Évangile is deep, powerful and intense, with remarkable concentration and plenty of power. Dark fruit, exotic spice and new leather are all pushed forward. A dramatic, towering wine, the 2015 is endowed with real density, big, but creamy tannins and exceptional balance, especially for a wine of its size. The blend is 84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc, brought in between September 15 and October 5, and September 29 and October 6 respectively. Seventy percent of the production went into the Grand Vin, which is aging in 100% new oak. The 2015 is a powerhouse that will need considerable bottle age to be at its best.

Antonio Galloni

100 Points

Stunning aromas of blackberries, black olives, brown sugar and dried flowers. Tar. Full-bodied, dense and layered. Superfine tannins, yet this is muscular and long. An amazing wine reminiscent of the great L’Evangiles of the 1950s. Straight track. Goes on and on. Truly great wine. Try in 2024. Just a baby. 40 in his Top 100 for 2018.

James Suckling

Vieux Château Certan

100 Points

The 2015 Vieux Château Certan is every bit as magnificent from bottle as it was from barrel. Rich, sumptuous and explosive in the glass, the 2015 is pure class. The flavors are deep and boldly sketched in this sumptuous, spectacularly ripe Pomerol. Inky blue/purplish fruit, spice, lavender, licorice and menthol all develop in the glass, but it is the wine's textural richness and intensity that stand out most. As good as the 2015 is today, it is going to need at least 15-20 years to be at its very best. Is there anything more I can ask of the 2015? No, there is not. This is a tremendous showing.

Antonio Galloni

100 Points

The blackberries, blueberries, oyster shell and violets are so mesmerizing. Full-bodied, focused and deep. It takes you to another space and plane. Dried flowers and dark fruit. The tannins are perfectly crafted. Keeps going as you taste it. Drink in 2023 but why wait? 11 in his Top 100 for 2018.

James Suckling

Vray Croix de Gay

95 Points

The 2015 Vray Croix de Gay is just as alluring from bottle as it was from barrel. Inky, powerful and explosive, the 2015 exudes richness in all of its dimensions. Blueberry jam, crème de cassis, licorice, menthol, spice and lavender form an exotic mélange of aromas and flavors, but it is the wine's balance and sense of proportion that are most impressive. Even with all of its intensity, the 2015 remains gracious and light on its feet for such a rich wine. This sumptuous, inviting Pomerol is a star in the making. Don't miss it.

Antonio Galloni

Sauternes & Barsac

Climens, 1er Cru

97 Points


Gracious, light on its feet and positively sublime, the 2015 Climens is one of the wines of the vintage. Its airiness and grace are hard to capture with words. Lightly honeyed notes, chamomile and exotic flowers lead into orchard fruit and candied citrus in this impeccably polished, nuanced Barsac. I would prefer to cellar the 2015 for at least a few years to get the benefit of even more complexity, but readers will have a very hard time keeping their hands off this gem from Climens and proprietor Bérénice Lurton.

Antonio Galloni

Doisy Daëne, 2ème Cru

95 Points

The 2015 Doisy-Daëne is compellingly beautiful. Beams of crushed rocks, petrol, lime and white flowers give the 2015 distinct Riesling-like inflections. Candied citrus, passion fruit and a host of more tropically-leaning notes develop in the glass. Creamy, textured and yet also light on its feet, the 2015 is a wine of total precision and class.

Antonio Galloni

Rieussec, 1er Cru

97 Points

The 2015 Rieussec is gorgeous. Scents of apricot jam, honey, mint and wild flowers lift from the glass. Delicate and gracious, with terrific freshness, the wine is all polish. Reflecting both the style of the year and the desire to make a slightly lighter Sauternes, the 2015 is rendered in a style the emphasizes finesse over power. The blend is 86% Sémillon and 14% Sauvignon Blanc.

Antonio Galloni

99 Points

OMG. This is amazing. This is the new 2001. Incredible purity of botrytis and ripeness. Full-on. So driven and precise. Full-bodied, very sweet and electrified. Pineapple jam and mangoes — endless tropical fruits. This ends very clean and is almost tannic on the finish. A truly great Sauternes. Energy. Drink or hold. 93 in his Top 100 for 2018

James Suckling

Suduiraut, 1er Cru

96 Points

The 2015 Suduiraut is gracious and wonderfully expressive. Floral, citrus, mint and lightly honeyed notes convey an impression of sophistication and restraint. Beautifully sketched, with terrific delineation, lift and poise, the wine whispers rather than shouts. The blend is 94% Sémillon with 6% Sauvignon.

Antonio Galloni

Yquem

98 Points

The 2015 d'Yquem is without question one of the wines of the vintage. Just as alluring from bottle as it was from barrel, the 2015 is a wine that engages all of the senses, from the intellectual to the more hedonistic. Lilting notes of pineapple, mint, orange peel and white flowers grace the palate, but it is the wine's sense of balance and total harmony that impress most. In 2015, Yquem had its earliest start to the harvest since 1893. Even so, the winemaking team did a magnificent job of preserving freshness. The 2015 was fermented in 100% new oak, and residual sugar is 145 grams per liter, but great wine is never about numbers. Above all else, the 2015 Yquem is a wine of energy and class. Don't miss it!

Antonio Galloni

99-100 Points

This is an incredible young Yquem that is so vinous like a great vintage of Montrachet but then on the palate it turns to Yquem with spice, dried fruit and mushroom as well as sweet fruit. Last for minutes. Acidity is all there giving it a dynamic vibrance that jolts your senses. Special wine. It has a little more than than 140 grams of residual sugar, less than the legendary of 2001. But is very close in greatness. Let’s wait and see.

James Suckling

100 Points

Following a very long harvest stretching nearly two months, the 2015 Château d'Yquem came in at 13.9% alcohol and 144 grams per liter of residual sugar, sporting a pH of 3.65 and six grams per liter of tartaric acid. None of these numbers, however, even remotely begin to tell you how profound this wine is. The nose opens with electric notes of ripe pineapples, green mango, orange blossoms and lemon tart with hints of fungi, lime zest, crushed rocks and jasmine. The freshness on the palate is just astonishing, permeating and lifting layer upon layer of tropical fruits and earthy notions, all encased in a sumptuous texture and culminating in a very, very long, mineral-tinged finish. Truly, this is a legendary vintage for d'Yquem. I've been conservative with my drinking window here, and I would not be at all surprised if our descendants are drinking this vintage well into the next century.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate


Place Your Order


This offer has expired, wines are subject to availability. We'll do our best to satisfy your tastebuds.

  • Left Bank

    1st Growths

  • 96+ Points 99 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 1,620.00
  • 97+ Points 99 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 1,400.00
  • 98 Points
    Price: $ 1,405.00
  • The Wine of Margaux

  • 96 Points
    Price: $ 185.00
  • 95 Points
    Price: $ 160.00
  • 97 Points 100 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 1,210.00
  • The Wine of Saint-Julien

  • 95 Points
    Price: $ 83.00
  • 95 Points
    Price: $ 160.00
  • 98 Points
    Price: $ 470.00
  • 98 Points
    Price: $ 945.00
  • 96+ Points
    Price: $ 125.00
  • 96+ Points
    Price: $ 510.00
  • 98 Points
    Price: $ 585.00
  • 98 Points
    Price: $ 1,175.00
  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 238.00
  • The Wine of Pauillac

  • 95 Points
    Price: $ 205.00
  • 96 Points
    Price: $ 183.00
  • 96 Points
    Price: $ 325.00
  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 375.00
  • 98+ Points
    Price: $ 399.00
  • 97+ Points
    Price: $ 315.00
  • The Wine of Pesssac-Léognan & Graves

  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 199.00
  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 375.00
  • 96+ Points 100 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 1,155.00
  • 100 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 228.00
  • 99 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 288.00
  • Right Bank

    Saint-Émilion

  • 95+ Points
    Price: $ 925.00
  • 97-100 Points
    Price: $ 1,868.00
  • 98 Points (AG) 100 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 318.00
  • 96+ Points
    Price: $ 398.00
  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 220.00
  • 99 Points
    Price: $ 1,988.00
  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 168.00
  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 418.00
  • 99 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 198.00
  • 96 Points
    Price: $ 668.00
  • 98 Points
    Price: $ 888.00
  • 98 Points
    Price: $ 333.00
  • 98 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 203.00
  • 99 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 353.00
  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 308.00
  • The Wines of Pomerol

  • 96 Points 99 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 398.00
  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 425.00
  • 99 Points
    Price: $ 688.00
  • 97 Points 100 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 568.00
  • 100 Points 100 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 588.00
  • 95 Points
    Price: $ 158.00
  • The Sweet White Wines of Sauternes & Barsac

  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 98.00
  • 97 Points
    Price: $ 198.00
  • 95 Points
    Price: $ 103.00
  • 97 Points 99 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 83.00
  • 97 Points 99 Points (JS)
    Price: $ 163.00
  • 95 Points
    Price: $ 88.00
  • 95 Points
    Price: $ 172.00
  • 98 Points
    Price: $ 430.00
  • $ 0.00
  • *If you do not receive a confirmation email after submitting your allocation request please contact us immediately on 1300 811 066 or [email protected]
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.