Vinous (100)

From the very beginning, the 2015 Canon has made an eloquent case for itself as one of the wines of the vintage. Multiple tastings from bottle only confirm what several early tastings hinted at: the 2015 Canon is simply extraordinary in every way. Sumptuous and exotic, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2015 grabs hold of all the senses and never lets up. A rush of red fruit intermingled with floral notes, spice and smoke notes effortlessly runs up the wine's vertical structure as the 2015 thrills with every twist and turn. The 2015 Canon is a rare wine that is both hedonistic and intellectual - well, maybe it is a bit more hedonistic-leaning. It doesn't matter. Don't miss it. This 2015 is masterpiece from General Manager Nicolas Auderbert and his team at Canon.

Vinous (100)

From the very beginning, the 2015 Canon has made an eloquent case for itself as one of the wines of the vintage. Multiple tastings from bottle only confirm what several early tastings hinted at: the 2015 Canon is simply extraordinary in every way. Sumptuous and exotic, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2015 grabs hold of all the senses and never lets up. A rush of red fruit intermingled with floral notes, spice and smoke notes effortlessly runs up the wine's vertical structure as the 2015 thrills with every twist and turn. The 2015 Canon is a rare wine that is both hedonistic and intellectual - well, maybe it is a bit more hedonistic-leaning. It doesn't matter. Don't miss it. This 2015 is masterpiece from General Manager Nicolas Auderbert and his team at Canon.

Vinous (100)

From the very beginning, the 2015 Canon has made an eloquent case for itself as one of the wines of the vintage. Multiple tastings from bottle only confirm what several early tastings hinted at: the 2015 Canon is simply extraordinary in every way. Sumptuous and exotic, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2015 grabs hold of all the senses and never lets up. A rush of red fruit intermingled with floral notes, spice and smoke notes effortlessly runs up the wine's vertical structure as the 2015 thrills with every twist and turn. The 2015 Canon is a rare wine that is both hedonistic and intellectual - well, maybe it is a bit more hedonistic-leaning. It doesn't matter. Don't miss it. This 2015 is masterpiece from General Manager Nicolas Auderbert and his team at Canon.

Wine Advocate (97)

Composed of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in French oak, 55% new, for 17 months, the 2015 Canon la Gaffeliere features a deep garnet-purple color and a cedar-laced nose to begin, giving way to fragrant underlying scents of roses and violets with a core of crushed black currants, blackberries and Bing cherries plus hints of fallen leaves and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, the seductively perfumed red and black fruit fills the mouth, framed with plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing very long and minerally.

Wine Advocate (97)

Composed of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in French oak, 55% new, for 17 months, the 2015 Canon la Gaffeliere features a deep garnet-purple color and a cedar-laced nose to begin, giving way to fragrant underlying scents of roses and violets with a core of crushed black currants, blackberries and Bing cherries plus hints of fallen leaves and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, the seductively perfumed red and black fruit fills the mouth, framed with plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing very long and minerally.

James Suckling (95)

Impressive richness and clarity of red and dark berries. Lightly spiced-pastry aromas, too. The palate has a very crisp, polished and groomed tannin texture, as well as super fresh flavors that carry long. Great wine. Try from 2022.

James Suckling (94)

Lead-pencil aromas with currants and plums, too. Full body, silky tannins and a focused and very refined finish. It's the tannins that drive things. An excellent second wine of Lafite. Needs two or three years to soften. Start drinking in 2021.

James Suckling (94)

Lead-pencil aromas with currants and plums, too. Full body, silky tannins and a focused and very refined finish. It's the tannins that drive things. An excellent second wine of Lafite. Needs two or three years to soften. Start drinking in 2021.

James Suckling (95-96)

This is really intense and powerful with fantastic energy and character. So much dark berry and walnut character. Full and chewy. Yet polished. Second wine of Ausone.

Wine Advocate (100)

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cheval Blanc is still incredibly primary at this very youthful stage. With coaxing, it unfurls to reveal beguiling notions of ripe black cherries, mulberries, licorice, baking spices and smoked meats with touches of incense and potpourri plus wafts of cast iron pan and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, very rich, very firm/taut and with very ripe, fine-grained tannins, it allows a glimpse at its incredible depth of flavors with a very long multi-layered finish. Wow.

Wine Advocate (100)

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cheval Blanc is still incredibly primary at this very youthful stage. With coaxing, it unfurls to reveal beguiling notions of ripe black cherries, mulberries, licorice, baking spices and smoked meats with touches of incense and potpourri plus wafts of cast iron pan and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, very rich, very firm/taut and with very ripe, fine-grained tannins, it allows a glimpse at its incredible depth of flavors with a very long multi-layered finish. Wow.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is super fine textured with ultra-polished tannins. Full body, blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate. Long and refined.

Vinous - Neal Martin (97)

The 2015 Climens is notoriously difficult to taste in its youth, the aromatics often shutting down for the first few years and consequently showing poorly in blind tastings. Indeed, this transpires during the blind tasting of 2015 Sauternes so I retrieved another bottle and allowed it 48 hours to open. This is where this note comes from. It has a bashful bouquet compared to its peers with notes of beeswax and honeycomb, just a touch of jasmine developing in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a lightly spiced opening, notes of stem ginger and rhubarb with a vivacious and quite persistent finish that bodes well for the future. It is a great Climens in the making, but it will need a decade in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

James Suckling (95)

Aromas of bark, blackberries, currants and basil leaf, not to mention lavender and sage. Full body, integrated tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Layered and beautiful. Drink in 2022.

Vinous - Neal Martin (97)

The 2015 Clos-Fourtet has a sensual, warm bouquet with chestnut and smoke-tinged red fruit, well defined and more understated than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, elegant and refined, silky and smooth in texture with beautifully poised red cherry and cranberry notes toward the finish. A tang of tobacco lingers on the aftertaste. Stunning. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2015 Clos l’Eglise needs encouragement on the nose. Initially surprisingly taciturn, it reveals well-defined blackberry, raspberry, leather and truffle scents. The palate is silky smooth with fine delineation, quite poised with dark chocolate and espresso complementing the lush red fruit. There is gentle grip towards the finish that gains length, though never achieves the heights of the following vintage. Still, this is going to give a lot of pleasure over the next 10-15 years. Tasted at the Clos l’Eglise vertical.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

Sophie Fourcade's 2015 Clos Saint Martin has turned out beautifully. Dense, pliant and impeccably layered, it also offers a good bit of freshness to play off the sweet red stone fruit flavors. I especially like the brightness here, especially in 2015, where it is easy for wines to be out of balance. A closing flourish of sweet red cherry and raspberry fruit leaves a lasting impression. Tasted three times.

The

Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2015 exhibits the nobility synonymous with the prime vineyards of Margaux, the acclaimed appellation in France's revered Bordeaux region. This varietal, unveiled by Château Prieuré-Lichine, is a robust manifestation of unique terroir combined with innovative winemaking techniques. A harmonious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the classic Bordeaux tradition, the Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2015 unfolds a deep, ruby hue and layered notes of blackberry, pepper and rich cedar. Exceptional maturity is achieved via meticulous aging for 14 months in French oak barrels, imbuing the spirit with an exquisite tannic structure. The producer, Château Prieuré-Lichine, boasts an enviable legacy of viticulture dating back to the 18th-century, consistently delivering wines that exemplify complexity, longevity and grace. The Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2015, whilst truly a stand-alone marvel, awakens when paired with robust flavours, gracing the senses with its unrivalled finish.

James Suckling (98)

Super aromas of nutmeg, cloves and dried flowers with plums and blackberries. Subtle yet so complex. Full-bodied, tight and integrated with ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Lasts for minutes. Very, very Cos. Harmony. Texturally marvellous. Drink in 2024.

James Suckling (98)

Super aromas of nutmeg, cloves and dried flowers with plums and blackberries. Subtle yet so complex. Full-bodied, tight and integrated with ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Lasts for minutes. Very, very Cos. Harmony. Texturally marvellous. Drink in 2024.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95+)

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.

Wine Advocate (100)

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.

Wine Advocate (100)

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.

James Suckling (93-94)

A very pretty wine with blackberry and dark chocolate aromas and flavors. Full body, soft tannins and a walnut, berry aftertaste. Impressive.

James Suckling (93-94)

Lots of blackberry and black currant aromas and flavors. Full body, round tannins, salty and earthy undertones. Very long and flavorful. 48% cabernet sauvignon, 45% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2015 de Pez is dark, powerful and super-inviting. A rush of black cherry, plum, chocolate, gravel and smoke run though this gorgeous, delineated Saint Estèphe. Today, the Pez is virile, tannic and imposing, with noble character and personality to burn. The 2015 has really grown since I last tasted it. This is superb effort for the vintage, but my impression is that the best is yet to come for this chateau, where quality continues to grow. The 2015 is 51% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2015 de Pez is dark, powerful and super-inviting. A rush of black cherry, plum, chocolate, gravel and smoke run though this gorgeous, delineated Saint Estèphe. Today, the Pez is virile, tannic and imposing, with noble character and personality to burn. The 2015 has really grown since I last tasted it. This is superb effort for the vintage, but my impression is that the best is yet to come for this chateau, where quality continues to grow. The 2015 is 51% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)

Super-ripe black cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and spice notes abound in the 2015 Domaine des Cambes. Plush on the palate, with silky tannins and no hard edges, the 2015 will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is another heady, exotically rich 2015 from François Mitjavile. Domaine des Cambes is predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Franc from clay/limestone soils on the lower slopes of the property.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)

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.

Contains 1x75cl bottle of each:

Pétrus 2015 - 100 pts | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)

Lafite Rothschild 2015 - 96+ pts | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)

Mouton Rothschild 2015 - 98 pts | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)

Margaux 2015 - 99 pts | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)

Haut-Brion 2015 - 100 pts | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)

La Mission Haut-Brion 2015 - 98 pts | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)

d’Yquem 2015 - 100 pts | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)

Ausone 2015 - 99 pts | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)

Cheval Blanc 2015 - 100 pts | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)