Bordeaux 2015 En Primeur Releases – 18th May

A flurry of releases came out this morning – and first up was the Margaux property Château Prieuré Lichine. This was a bargain at £295.00 IB per case. A surprisingly low price given the James Suckling’s enormous score of 95-96. “This is really exceptional this year. Full body, very velvety tannins, wet earth, mushroom and currant character. Very stoney. Very long and flavor. Greatest wine in the history of the estate”.

The Cheval Blanc owned property, Château Quinault L’Enclos, came highly recommend at £235.00 IB per case and is clearly showing all the hallmarks of the skilful Cheval Blanc winemaking team. In short, this is a sexy Right-Bank which offers fantastic value.

Neal Martin 91-93 “an extremely fine Quinault L’Enclos that will give a lot of pleasure with just 4-5 years in bottle”.
James Suckling 93-94 “A purity and balance to this year with mineral, lavender and licorice character. Full body yet balanced and super silky. Bright and precise. Best ever”.
Tim Atkin 94 “The best vintage yet under LVMH’s ownership”.
Jancis Robinson “Very gentle tannins. Really perfumed. Very sweet on the palate. Very different from the old days”.

Our purchases from the right bank continue with another Saint-Émilion wine that we snapped up this morning came from Clos de l’Oratoire at £280.00 IB per case. More very good scores and commentary from the critics:

95-96 James Suckling “A depth and texture that is very unique for this estate with blackberry, stone and mineral undertones. Full and tight. Wonderful length and style. Precise”.

92-94 Antonio Galloni “real stand out, the 2015 Clos de l’Oratoire is powerful yet also wonderfully focused. Beams of acidity and tannin give the 2015 its sense of direction, while expressive floral notes add considerable brightness. The 2015 is intense yet also impeccable in its balance. The purity and breadth of the Merlot is striking. Readers will have to be patient with the 2015, as it is one of the most intense, hulking wines of the year.

91-93 Neil Martin “The 2015 Clos de la L’Oratoire is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked between 25-30 September at 45 hl/ha. Matured in 40% new oak, it has perhaps the most reticent bouquet at the moment, yet there is very pure dark cherry and blackberry fruit here, very “cool” aromatically and with several swirls of the glass it begins to find its voice. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. There is good density here, very well balanced, very precise with perhaps the best tension on the finish that I have discerned in this particular Saint Emilion. This comes highly recommended”.