Passionate wine enthusiasts enjoyed some of the best Bordeaux vintage wines at the 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur Week in April 2016.
Over 300 wines were served directly from the barrel at the event, but Margaux, Pessac Leognan and the right bank appellations of St Emilion stood out.
Was 2015 a Good Year for Bordeaux Wine?
2015 was a very unusual year for Bordelais. July was dry and hot, giving rise to a short but strong flowering period. August saw rain and storms that helped white grapes keep their acidity.
Some relief was found in September from the rain. The Medoc appellations Pauillac, St Estephe were subject to prolonged wet weather.
The September weather was slightly cooler, which allowed the producers to leave the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on their vines for a little longer. This resulted in perfect maturation.
The August rains in Sauternes & Barsac were a blessing for white wine grapes – Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The grapes had thinner skins due to the humid conditions.
Are the 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur Prices Higher Than Previous Years?
The two-week Bordeaux En Primeur 2015 tasting saw several high-profile releases, including Château Latour, Beychevelle, Pape Clement, Valandraud, and Saint Emilion’s Chateau Pavie.
These amazing wines saw an average 24% increase in their release prices compared to 2014. Gazin was 18% higher than 2014’s Valandraud at $1,400+.
The average release price for 2015’s great wine was lower than vintage wines from 2009, 2010, and 2005.
For example,
- 42% lower than the 2010 vintage’s current price
- 35% lower than the 2009 vintage’s current price
- 44% lower than the current price for the 2005 vintage
You could have guaranteed some great returns if you had gotten a Bordeaux 2015 wine before its release.
Wine Lister was surveyed to predict Cru Bourgeois wine prices. It found that the average percentage of increase was 3%. However, Cru Bourgeois wines’ release prices are more likely to rise by 9%-12%.
What does the 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur Wines taste like?
The 2015 white Bordeaux wines are dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, which resulted in rich, opulent white wines with a crisp finish.
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon dominated reds, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Malbec and Carmenere were also present.
Pauillac wines and St Estephe wines were lighter than usual. The wines from the northern Graves were concentrated and rich, particularly Pessac Leognan.
The Right Bank appellations St Emilion & Pomerol have been praised for their rich, intense and fruit-forward wines similar to New World Merlot.
Pomerol’s Right Bank Merlot wines are rich and sensual. They have the perfect balance between acidity and fruitiness. Jancis Robinson, a wine critic, said that Petrus and Lafleur were Pomerol’s standouts.
Sauternes & Barsac sweet wines have a subtle touch of botrytis and ethereal freshness. These sweet wines have honey as the predominant taste note, with subtle apple and lemon flavors.
Chateau Haut Bailly 2015 (147 USD)
This Bordeaux wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot.
This wine is incredibly balanced with ripe, smoky tannin, blackberry fruit flavors, and incredible freshness. Its unique structure is a testament to the Cabernet’s 2015 vintage.
Chateau Haut Brion 2015 ($695)
The 2015 vintage Chateau Haut Brion wine is solid and firm and packs a bold, opulent side. The palate has powerful black fruit notes with fine tannin. It is a concentrated, impressive wine that requires a few years in the cellar.
Neal Martin scored this vintage wine with a score of 97.5+, and Robert Parker gave it a perfect 100.
Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 2015 Blanc ($746)
This 2015 vintage white wine is beautifully ripe yet hasn’t lost its characteristic mineral side. The palate has pure citrus flavors, cut with tense acidity that gives it amazing freshness.
Chateau Margaux 2015 ($1,991)
This charming red wine has the easy accessibility of 2009 but with greater precision and freshness. Tasting reveals a rich and velvety palate with relatively high alcohol.
Chateau Latour 2015
A smooth yet structured wine from one of the finest Bordeaux producers, this Château Latour red boasts a robust tannin structure. The palate has terrific juiciness with a tense firmness that would loosen when it is released.