2015
2015
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Rhone | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,889.67 |
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James Suckling (98)A more floral and perfumed wine than the 2015 Renaissance. Violets add interest to plenty peppery red plums and wild red berries. Darker berries, graphite and stony notes, too. So much here. The palate arrives in silky ribbon-like mode, it has a very long core of blackberries, licorice and spiced plum flavors. Superior definition in the tannin department. A taut finish. Drink from 2025. |
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Rhone | 5 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£815.38 |
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Wine Advocate (95)When a so-called entry-level wine performs at this level, you know that producer has had a stupendous year. The 2015 Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne is full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with loads of cassis fruit and masses of ripe tannin. To top it off, some meaty, savory notes creep in on the long finish, imparting some intriguing complexity. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£550.87 |
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Wine Spectator (94)This sports some seriously delicious plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors, inlaid with ample brambly grip and backed by lively anise and tar accents on the finish. Vivacious. Best from 2019 through 2029. 200 cases imported. |
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Rhone | 4 | 93-95+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£586.18 |
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Wine Advocate (93-95+)The inky black/blue-colored 2015 Saint Joseph Les Royes from the Courbis team was brought up in one-third each of new, once and twice-used barrels. It offers sensational notes of crème de cassis toasted bread, licorice and pen ink in a massive, rich, concentrated, layered style that is shocking in its depth and richness. It's a crazy good St Joseph. |
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Rhone | 2 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,485.27 |
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Wine Advocate (97)With only about 100 cases produced each year, finding a bottle of the 2015 Cote Rotie la Landonne will prove much harder than drinking it. It's indeed a terrific wine but a bit closed and cedary at this particular moment, the 40% new oak standing out on the nose. But this cuvée has a long track record of excellence, so expect it to blossom with time in the cellar. It's concentrated and powerful but amazingly light on its feet, with firm, ample tannins that manage to convey a sense of ripeness as well. Tar, black olive, cassis and espresso elements all speak to the grape (100% Syrah) and the single lieu-dit origin. |
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Rhone | 1 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£1,385.38 |
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Wine Advocate (98)The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is a tour de force. Raspberry and apricot-scented fruit, rich chocolate notes and an incredible whirlwind of spice are delivered in this full-bodied wine that shows no heat, just waves of flavor. It should drink well for 20 years or more. |
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Rhone | 6 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£496.87 |
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Vinous (94)Inky ruby. Suave, mineral-accented scents of ripe blueberry, black currant and Indian spices, along with a slowly emerging floral component. Plush, broad and deeply concentrated, displaying black and blue fruit, licorice and mocha flavors that are energized by an intense, peppery overtone. Finishes extremely long, fleshy and sweet, delivering intense mineral thrust, a subtle cracked pepper nuance and youthful, building tannins. |
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Rhone | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£1,082.98 |
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Allow us to introduce the masterful Rene-Jean Dard & Francios Ribo Crozes-Hermitage Pe de Loup Blanc 2015. This exceptional white wine originates from the northern Rhône region of France, created from 100% marsanne grapes, well-known for their deep colour and profound depth. Forged by the dynamic duo of Rene-Jean Dard and Francios Ribo, the distinctive terroir of Crozes-Hermitage imparts a mineral-rich elegance upon this highly regarded vintage. This wine carefully pays homage to the traditions of the Crozes-Hermitage region, embodying natural winemaking principles and minimal intervention methods to exude a pure, expressive character. A meticulously composed wine, the Rene-Jean Dard & Francios Ribo Crozes-Hermitage Pe de Loup Blanc 2015 witnesses slow fermentation and ageing in oak, resulting in a harmonious balance of acidity and fruit.
On the palate, it presents an enchanting array of ripe, yellow fruits, almonds, and subtle honeyed notes mingling with a creamy texture and a lingering, mineral-driven finish. The excellence of Rene-Jean Dard & Francios Ribo in every glass. |
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Rhone | 1 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£771.67 |
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James Suckling (96)A wine with playful, attractive character. An array of red, blue and purple fruits. Gently spicy, chalky and fragrant, it has a very supple, fleshy and layered palate with a web of fine, smooth and supple tannins. Extremely elegant and composed. A long draw on the finish. Great depth and drive. This will live super long. Try after 2020. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Rhone | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£2,376.00 |
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James Suckling (98)A more floral and perfumed wine than the 2015 Renaissance. Violets add interest to plenty peppery red plums and wild red berries. Darker berries, graphite and stony notes, too. So much here. The palate arrives in silky ribbon-like mode, it has a very long core of blackberries, licorice and spiced plum flavors. Superior definition in the tannin department. A taut finish. Drink from 2025. |
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|
|
Rhone | 5 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
£641.00 |
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Wine Advocate (95)When a so-called entry-level wine performs at this level, you know that producer has had a stupendous year. The 2015 Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne is full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with loads of cassis fruit and masses of ripe tannin. To top it off, some meaty, savory notes creep in on the long finish, imparting some intriguing complexity. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rhone | 1 | 94 (WS) |
In Bond
£427.00 |
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Wine Spectator (94)This sports some seriously delicious plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors, inlaid with ample brambly grip and backed by lively anise and tar accents on the finish. Vivacious. Best from 2019 through 2029. 200 cases imported. |
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|
|
Rhone | 4 | 93-95+ (WA) |
In Bond
£450.00 |
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Wine Advocate (93-95+)The inky black/blue-colored 2015 Saint Joseph Les Royes from the Courbis team was brought up in one-third each of new, once and twice-used barrels. It offers sensational notes of crème de cassis toasted bread, licorice and pen ink in a massive, rich, concentrated, layered style that is shocking in its depth and richness. It's a crazy good St Joseph. |
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|
|
Rhone | 2 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
£2,039.00 |
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Wine Advocate (97)With only about 100 cases produced each year, finding a bottle of the 2015 Cote Rotie la Landonne will prove much harder than drinking it. It's indeed a terrific wine but a bit closed and cedary at this particular moment, the 40% new oak standing out on the nose. But this cuvée has a long track record of excellence, so expect it to blossom with time in the cellar. It's concentrated and powerful but amazingly light on its feet, with firm, ample tannins that manage to convey a sense of ripeness as well. Tar, black olive, cassis and espresso elements all speak to the grape (100% Syrah) and the single lieu-dit origin. |
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|
|
Rhone | 1 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£1,116.00 |
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Wine Advocate (98)The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is a tour de force. Raspberry and apricot-scented fruit, rich chocolate notes and an incredible whirlwind of spice are delivered in this full-bodied wine that shows no heat, just waves of flavor. It should drink well for 20 years or more. |
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|
Rhone | 6 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£382.00 |
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Vinous (94)Inky ruby. Suave, mineral-accented scents of ripe blueberry, black currant and Indian spices, along with a slowly emerging floral component. Plush, broad and deeply concentrated, displaying black and blue fruit, licorice and mocha flavors that are energized by an intense, peppery overtone. Finishes extremely long, fleshy and sweet, delivering intense mineral thrust, a subtle cracked pepper nuance and youthful, building tannins. |
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|
|
Rhone | 1 | - |
In Bond
£864.00 |
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|
Allow us to introduce the masterful Rene-Jean Dard & Francios Ribo Crozes-Hermitage Pe de Loup Blanc 2015. This exceptional white wine originates from the northern Rhône region of France, created from 100% marsanne grapes, well-known for their deep colour and profound depth. Forged by the dynamic duo of Rene-Jean Dard and Francios Ribo, the distinctive terroir of Crozes-Hermitage imparts a mineral-rich elegance upon this highly regarded vintage. This wine carefully pays homage to the traditions of the Crozes-Hermitage region, embodying natural winemaking principles and minimal intervention methods to exude a pure, expressive character. A meticulously composed wine, the Rene-Jean Dard & Francios Ribo Crozes-Hermitage Pe de Loup Blanc 2015 witnesses slow fermentation and ageing in oak, resulting in a harmonious balance of acidity and fruit.
On the palate, it presents an enchanting array of ripe, yellow fruits, almonds, and subtle honeyed notes mingling with a creamy texture and a lingering, mineral-driven finish. The excellence of Rene-Jean Dard & Francios Ribo in every glass. |
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|
|
Rhone | 1 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£611.00 |
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James Suckling (96)A wine with playful, attractive character. An array of red, blue and purple fruits. Gently spicy, chalky and fragrant, it has a very supple, fleshy and layered palate with a web of fine, smooth and supple tannins. Extremely elegant and composed. A long draw on the finish. Great depth and drive. This will live super long. Try after 2020. |
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2015 in the Rhône benefited from the same trend of weather which gave Bordeaux its best vintage since 2010. A long, warm, balanced growing season with perfect August weather leading up to harvest has made this the most eagerly anticipated vintage in years. Some have gone so far as to declare it to be the best vintage in memory!
The Rhône is not prone to the hype and overstatement that marks Bordeaux each year so when the region is this excited about a given year, it is worth taking notice. Easily among the ranks of the recent great years of 2009, 2007 and 2005, 2015 is one for the long term and one which will reward patience.
Look to top producers such as Vieux Telegraphe, Beaucastel and Clos des Papes to impress and for value domaines such as Saint Cosme and others to over-perform for their price.
