1. We have found that the overall quality of the 2015 vintage is somewhere between very good and outstanding, depending on the appellation and producer. When we think about comparing the 2015 vintage to other memorable vintages, we believe that it falls somewhere between the power of 2005 and the accessibility of the 2009, but with lower alcohol levels, which makes it feel fresher and perhaps, even more pure.
2. The 2015 vintage is proving to be an especially good year for Right Bank producers. While many excellent wines were produced on the Left Bank, the overall consistency of quality in St. Emilion and Pomerol cannot be ignored and may ultimately end up rivaling the extraordinary 2005 vintage. Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Clinet, La Conseillante, Larcis Ducasse, Troplong Mondot and La Tertre Roteboeuf are just some of the highlights of the outstanding wines we were fortunate enough to taste.
3. On the Left Bank, the best wines were sprinkled across multiple appellations, but Pessac-Leognan definitely deserves special attention. Haut Brion, La Mission Haut Brion and Haut Bailly are all very, very good in 2015. Several producers in Pauillac also excelled in 2015 including Lafite, Pontet Canet (wow), Pichon Lalande and Pichon Baron. As for St. Julien, Ducru Beaucaillou left us wanting more while Leoville Las Cases and Leoville Poyferre provided a very solid showing. Gruaud Larose managed to produce one of their best vintages in years in 2015 and should prove to be a very good value.
4. Prices are generally expected to be between 10% and 15% higher than the 2014 vintage. That being said, 2015 should offer an abundance of values across all appellations as the barrel samples we tasted showed very good potential beyond the big name producers.
5. We feel demand for the 2015 Bordeaux vintage has the potential to be much stronger than the last four vintages and may even be as stong as the 2010 vintage and could be close to 2009, but only if the prices that the Bordelais set make sense. If they increase too much then the vintage risks falling flat and could follow in the footsteps of the last four futures campaigns which were underwhelming at best.