I tasted two perfect red 2015 Bordeaux last Friday while in the region for various events with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and the two reds – Château La Mission-Haut-Brion and Château Margaux – underlined what makes the vintage so very special, as noted in a number of articles on JamesSuckling.com.
The Margaux is the Wine of the Vintage. But I have been saying that from the beginning after tasting about 800 barrel samples in March. I have read many others have said the same thing, particularly British wine trade members. The purity of fruit and depth of ultra-fine tannins makes the Margaux a sublime wine. And it seems even better at the moment as the wine takes on weight, structure and center in barrel in the winery’s cellars. The perfectly ripened tannins in the wine and polished texture are so fantastic that you almost want to drink it now. But you know that it has such an amazing future as a young Bordeaux.
Aurélien Valance of Château Margaux said that everyone at the château believes its 2015 is, indeed, one of its best wines ever. He explained what was exceptional about the year, which included the early flowering and how hot weather after kept the berries small. The cool August also gave the grapes a special ripening and tannin quality. He also said that the winery’s new addition to the winemaking facilities (designed by Britain’s architect guru Norman Foster) gave an added value to the vintage. They could further ferment and select by vineyard parcels, more than 80 in total. “It was precision, precision, precision,” he said.
He added, “But as Paul (the late technical director of the estate) always said, sometimes you can’t explain why a wine is so great.”
I have to agree. Here is my tasting note from Friday.
Château Margaux Margaux: Wow. The aromas are so wonderful with a purity of cabernet fruit that also gives a floral undertone of roses. The texture and purity of fruit is sublime. The tannins are perfect. So much tannic concentration yet so polished and refined. It’s gentle with superfine tannins. It is seamless and endless. Ethereal. It floats on the palate. 100 points.
Take a look at my en primeur note if you are a subscriber.
The 100-point 2015 La Mission Haut-Brion is almost as persuasive as the 2015 Margaux. Its similar tannin structure and texture that make the wine so perfect. The almost pure cabernet sauvignon is a benchmark for the grape type. Here is my tasting note from visiting the château last week.
Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan: The persistence of this wine is superb with a great expression of amazing cabernet sauvignon. Black currants and rose petal abound in both the nose and the palate. Full-bodied yet tight and reserved. So polished and balanced. A reference point for La Mission. 100 points.
Take a look at my en primeur note if you are a subscriber.
-James Suckling, CEO
Photos: Bottle of 2015 Margaux barrel sample; empty glasses ready for tasting a La Mission; Aurélien Valance of Château Margaux; tiny garden in La Mission; La Mission barrel sample with Haut-Brion and others.
