UGC 2015 Vintage Tasting – 1/19/2018

These notes are from the Boston tasting. The first in Boston since 2008. Similar notes are from the Los Angeles tasting, however the wines in the Los Angeles tasting seem to be less open and accessible. Not sure if that was due to temperature, humidity, travel of the wines, etc. Overall the wines were relatively accessible, more so than in recent years, yet do show much aging potential.

 

2015 Chateau Carbonnieux.  On the nose, the 2005 Carbonnieux presents some smoke, red plums and a hint of mint.  There is a good deal of earth on the on the medium-bodied palate, along with a gravelly, rock-like character and a medium-length finish.  A solid wine that should start drinking well in about 5 years. WB 91.

 

2015 Chateau Haut-Bailly.  Very polished aromatically, with notes of red raspberries, mocha, incense and a touch of mint.  On the palate, this is incredibly refined, with a cashmere-like texture, a plush mouth feel, and copious minerals, earth and black cherries.  Very complex on the very long finish.  Simply outstanding – this must be one of the best vintages of Haut-Bailly in recent years.  Great stuff! Needs 10+ years, but will be worth it. WB 96.

 

2015 Chateau Larrivet Haut Brion.  A slightly reduced nose is currently dominated by violets and barbeque smoke.  Medium-bodied, with good refinement, this contains mostly dark berries and stony fruit.  A solid wine that will benefit with a few years in the cellar. WB 90+.

 

2015 Chateau Pape-Clement.  Sweet cherry aromas, along notes of burning embers.  In the mouth, there is a very strong sense of extraction, with loads of vanilla, along with blueberries and black cherries.  This is a very modern style – I would imagine that this is very polarizing.  10+ years in the cellar would certainly be of great help here. WB 94.

 

2015 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte.  Spices, barbeque smoke and a floral note are present here.  Modern, very dense and drying in the mouth, with ample black fruits, charcoal and bittersweet chocolate.  An excellent wine of you like the style. Will require many years of cellaring (10+). WB 93.

 

2015 Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot.  Violets, bitter chocolate, beeswax and a hint of vanilla bean on the effusive nose.  On the palate, it is medium-bodied, filled with dark chocolate, boysenberry and a serious mineral streak.  Finishes fairly long, with a whiplash of tannin and mineral coating the gums.  Very promising, if embryonic Merlot-based blend. WB 92+.

 

2015 Chateau Canon.  Powerful aromas of melted fudge, sweet berries and violets.  Incredibly complex in the mouth, with red cherries, plums, earth, licorice and a smidgeon of citrus, all in perfect harmony and with outstanding definition.  Very long on the rising, complex finish with fine-grained tannins that simply refuse to let go of the palate.  This extraordinary wine needs to be tasted to be believed!  Unfortunately, it is also likely to require a minimum of 15 years in the cellar to be at peak, but accessible now.  But, it will be worth the wait!  WB 97+.

 

2015 Clos Fourtet.  Aromatically, the 2015 Clos Fourtet is dominated by flowers, mocha and a hint of cotton candy.  There are sweet berries on the attack, transitioning into black plums, minerals and a touch of vanilla bean.  Very long on the finish, with some serious tannic grip.  This will require a good decade of cellaring, but should reward handsomely.  A worthy challenger to the 2014, 2010 and other recent successes here. WB 95.

 

2015 Valandraud.  With minimal swirling, notes of red raspberries, incense and melted fudge jump out of the glass.  Very fruity on the highly refined, medium-bodied palate, but is underpinned with excellent definition and freshness that extends all the way to the very long and complex finish.  This one is modern-styled, but is not at all overdone.  Will benefit from 7-8 years of cellaring. WB 95.

 

2015 Chateau La Cabanne.  Dark cherries, chocolate, licorice and vanilla bean dominate the aromatics here.  It is very woody and over-extracted in the mouth, with bitter, astringent tannin gripping the palate like a vise.  There is clearly some good material lurking underneath all that oak, but I am skeptical that it will ever come into balance. WB 85?.

 

2015 Chateau Gazin.  Red cherries, violets and smoked herbs on the nose transition into a medium-bodied wine that is crammed with black plums, iron and strong, refreshing acidity on the long finish.  This is clearly a very promising Pomerol, but it will take a long time to come into its drinking window.  Yet another winner from Gazin. WB 94.

 

2015 Chateau La Pointe.  Aromatically, the 2015 La Pointe has moderately intense notes of mocha, flowers and red raspberries.  Medium-bodied on the palate, with good grip and black fruit throughout.  Finishes with some late-arriving tannin.  Very good stuff here, though additional complexity would be beneficial.  Let’s hope that come about with some bottle age. WB 90+.

 

2015 Chateau Rouget.  Melted fudge, herb and underbrush aromas make up the aromatics here.  Medium-bodied in the mouth, loaded with plums and herbs, underpinned by good definition and gentle grip.  This red-fruited elixir will drink well on release. WB 91.

 

2015 Chateau de Camensac.  Smoke, mocha and some reductive notes are present in the aromatic profile.  On the palate, there is a medium body and slightly sweet red fruits.  Overall this gently tannic and moderately complex bottling is already drinking well and will not require much — if any — cellaring for enjoyment. WB 88.

 

2015 Chateau Cantemerle.  Lovely aromas of blackcurrant and spice, with a hint of lavender are found with minimal coaxing.  Medium- to full-bodied in the mouth, with cassis and red cherries, good depth and cut.  Finishes long, with lots of late-arriving tannins.  Very promising vintage here – could eventually wind up being nearly as good as 2010. WB 92+.

 

2015 Chateau Citran.  Mocha and fudge, along with berries and hints of flowers, make up the aromatics here.  Medium-bodied, perhaps a bit four-square on the palate, with moderate tannin on the finish.  Solid, relatively early drinking Citran. WB 89.

 

2015 La Lagune.  The nose is dominated by some red but mostly black berries.  Dark, brooding fruit, with bittersweet chocolate, minerals and charcoal.  A long, minerally and tannic aftertaste suggests that this will require 10+ years in the cellar to round into form.  A serious, high quality Haut Medoc. WB 93.

 

2015 La Tour Carnet.  Spices, mocha, vanilla and herbs are present on the nose.  Medium-bodied in the mouth, with red raspberry compote-like sweetness and traces of vanilla.  This plush, modern-styled wine possess good density and texture, and should be approachable by 2020.  Solid value as well. WB 91.

 

2015 Chateau Brane-Cantenac.  Cranberries, flowers and bittersweet chocolate practically jump out of the glass.  Very graceful in the mouth, with a near-even mix of red and black fruits, as well as earth and a liquid stone-like character, all underpinned by exceptional balance.  This has it all – elegance, balance and density.  A real winner! WB 95+.

 

2015 Chateau Ferriere.  Black cherries, toast and smoked herbs are found on the nose.  Medium-bodied and somewhat simple, with black cherries and vanilla beans on the mid-palate.  This is pretty good, but could use a bit more density and refinement. WB 87.

 

2015 Chateau Giscours.  Aromatically, the 2015 Giscours is composed of violets, red cherries and licorice.  It is quite dense in the mouth, with some oaky overtones, accompanied with some bitterness.  It does finish very long, and is rather refined.  If the oak subsides, this will turn out quite well. WB 91?.

 

2015 Chateau Rauzan-Segla.  Highly perfumed nose of cherries, licorice, flowers, cranberries and a hint of blood orange.  Medium- to full-bodied, with a complex, very refined mid-palate loaded boysenberry, red plums and mineral.  This, outstanding, modern-leaning concoction deserves to be cellared for 10-15 years.  WB 95+.

 

2015 Chateau Siran.  Strawberries and sweet red cherries dominate the aromatic profile here.  Rather simple in the mouth, with a lingering sweet sensation of red fruits and a modest, gentle finish.  This pleasant wine is open and ready for business. WB 88.

 

2015 Chateau Du Tertre.  Very aromatic, with lots of freshly-picked flowers, cherries and mint notes.  A solid core of dark fruit, powdered stone and earth can all be found on the palate.  Embryonic and loaded with potential, this will undoubtedly be excellent with considerable cellar time.  A good value to boot. WB 91+.

 

2015 Chateau Beychevelle.  Nearly purple in color, the Beychevelle gives off aromas of smoke, exotic spices and flowery overtones. Medium-bodied and quite refined, with bitter chocolate and some vanilla on the palate.  This is obviously very young, but is oh so promising! WB 93+.

 

2015 Chateau Branaire-Ducru.  With some coaxing, the 2015 Branaire-Ducru reluctantly gives off with notes of baking spices, mocha and red cherries.  Medium-bodied, earthy and rather monolithic in the mouth, the wine appears to be shut down for business.  Hard to get an accurate read on this today.

 

2015 Chateau Giraud Larose.  A nose that’s dominated by animal, wet fur, and herbs.  Dark in character on the palate, with loads of earth and some mineral.  Little in the way of any obvious fruit.  Overall, this is rather modest in length and density.  I expected more from this address. WB 87.

 

2015 Chateau Lagrange.  Somewhat closed aromatically, but eventually some hints of blackcurrant, charcoal and vanilla can be discerned.  Medium-bodied, with good density of fruit, and at this juncture, somewhat simple.  Very tannic and clearly needs a minimum of 10 years in the cellar.  My hunch is that this is mostly shut down for business. WB 90?.

 

2015 Chateau Langoa Barton.  Mocha, violets and hints of red cherries can all be found in the aromatics of the 2015 Langoa Barton.  Medium-bodied, with sweet red cherries dominating the rather four-square palate.  This is pretty good on its own, but in this vintage, it is overshadowed by many other wines in its appellation.  WB 88.

 

2015 Chateau Leoville Barton.  Violets, mint, and smoke are readily apparent in the aromatic profile.  Medium- to full-bodied, loaded with minerals, earth and bitter chocolate, and foreboding tannic structure that suggests – no, make that demands – a minimum of 15 years of slumber in the cellar before drinkability.  An excellent wine, but will require tremendous patience. WB 93+.

 

2015 Chateau Leoville Poyferre.  This gives off powerful and well-defined notes of cassis, lavender and melted fudge.  Dark fruits, excellent refinement and a full body characterize the palate, along with some minerals and a hint of coffee.  Very long on the finish, with fine grained tannin coating every nook and cranny in the mouth.  An excellent wine that needs 10+ years in the cellar. WB 94+.

 

2015 Chateau D’Armailhac.  Black cherries, flowers and hints of chocolate make up the aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, with vanilla bean, bitter chocolate and earth.  It has surprisingly good refinement and length, and a good amount of tannin as well, so some patience in needed.  Might be the best D’Armailhac I’ve ever had. WB 91+.

 

2015 Chateau Clerc Milon.  Mostly cassis notes dominate here, along with some mocha.  Medium-bodied, with good refinement, a medium-length finish with black fruits and a touch of vanilla.  Solid wine that ideally needs 7-8 years in the cellar. WB 91.

 

2015 Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse.  Smoke, blackberries and a floral top note. Very tannic and black fruited in the mouth, with moderate length on the finish.  Could use a bit of refinement, as it comes off as a bit rustic compared to other 2015 Pauillacs. WB 89.

 

2015 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste.  Mocha, cassis, red berries on the highly aromatic nose.  Quite dense on the mid-palate, with excellent refinement, plush mouth feel, licorice and black cherries, minerals and a very long finish. This is obviously young, and will benefit from at least 8 years of cellaring.  A top-notch Grand-Puy-Lacoste that reminds me of the 1990. WB 95.

 

2015 Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal.  Aromatics here are composed of cassis, cherries and smoke.  It is modestly dense in the mouth, with some black fruits and very drying tannin on the short, rather abrupt finish.  Seems quite simple. WB 85.

 

2015 Chateau Lynch-Moussas.  One whiff here and aromas of vanilla and campfire smoke become quite apparent. Dark fruits are everywhere on the palate, along with some earth.  Finish is of moderate length, with rather coarse tannin arriving late.  Could really use a bit more refinement, but otherwise a good claret. WB 88.

 

2015 Chateau Pichon Baron.  Nearly impenetrable dark ruby, the 2015 Pichon Baron presents powerful notes of cassis, vanilla bean and flowers.  It is full-bodied, with licorice, coffee, black cherries and even some blueberries on the palate.  This very masculine wine will require at least 10+ years to become drinkable, but all the elements are there for it to become a superstar.  Clearly one of the best Pichon Barons since 1989. WB 95+.

 

2015 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.  A veritable smorgasbord of aromas, with violets, blackberries, exotic spices, cocoa and graphite.  Incredibly refined in the mouth, with black cherries, licorice, mocha and minerals present everywhere.  Finishes with exceptional persistence and very fine-grained tannin and cut.  Flat-out great! WB 96+.

 

2015 Chateau De Pez.  Currently dominated by a smoke and red berries, the medium-bodied 2015 De Pez has modest density but surprisingly big and firm tannin. Overall, it is somewhat simple, but needs a few years in the cellar to round into drinking form. WB 88.

 

2015 Chateau Coutet.  Marmalade, apricot and quince are quite apparent in the aromatics.  Rather sweet in the mouth, but the sweetness is buffered by lots of acidity.  The end result is that this medium- to full-bodied wine never heavy or cloying.  A solid effort. WB 93.

 

2015 Chateau de Fargues.  Grass, fresh hay and orange rind notes make up the aromatic profile.  Full-bodied on the palate, with minerals and yellow fruits, it also has good acidity.  At the moment, though, that acidity is not nearly enough to overcome the sweetness.  Perhaps time will be kind here and bring the wine into better balance. WB 90+.

 

2015 Chateau Guiraud.  Sweet oranges and apricots, peaches, along with a whiff of straw.  Marmalade on the mid-palate, as is good acidity and a long finish.  A very nice Sauterne. WB 92.