Château Les Grands Chênes 2015

Gentle plum and blackberry compote notes glide through easily, infused with a warm tobacco accent. Reveals a light tug of cedar at the very end. Drink now through 2020. 24,667 cases made.

This is extremely dark in colour and feel, showcasing the potential of Merlot honed on the left bank. Tight tannins abound, and the fruit is well fleshed out, with clear power underneath. A touch overoaked, making the finish a little abrupt.

Bright ripe red berries, tea and bracken lead to a palate that has smoothly rendered tannins and vibrant red-berry flavors. Delicious now. Drink or hold.

The 2015 Les Grands Chênes is a pretty wine, but it also shows less depth from bottle than it did from barrel. There is good definition to the grilled herb, tobacco, plum and menthol flavors—just not quite the midpalate pliancy or overall persistence I expected. Tasted two times.

Utilizing 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is fleshy, round and has an earthy, red fruit profile. The open and oaky finish combines espresso bean and cherry characteristics. 86 - 88 pts

Powerful, mineral, deep bouquet; blue and black berries, tobacco, graphite, cedar. Plush, velvety, creamy palate with intense, sweet aromatics, broad structure, fine tannins, long finish. 17/20 2022 - 2036

Generous oak, black fruit, opulent and comfortable.

A wine that is at once powerful, rich, and structured.

Black robe. The wine is dense and supple, with good substance, charming.

Garnet red with violet highlights. The bouquet shows good intensity with notes of red fruit and a touch of oak ageing. Juicy, fruity attack. On the palate, the wine is slightly creamy with well-integrated tannins. The structure brings freshness, but the fruit is virtually absent. Drying finish. Lacks depth and expression. For now, I rate this wine much lower than during the en primeur campaign. I remain confident, however. To be continued.

The nose is aromatic and offers concentration, subtle freshness and elegance. It reveals notes of blackberry, crushed raspberry and black cherry, together with a hint of blackcurrant/plum, delicate touches of violet and Sichuan pepper, as well as fine nuances of tonka bean, Ceylon tea, spices and an imperceptible hint of vanilla. The palate is fruity, mineral, suave, balanced and silky, offering indulgence, lovely finesse, harmony, delicacy, appealing juiciness, subtle freshness, good definition and fine tension. On the palate, this wine delivers notes of juicy blackberry and juicy blackcurrant, and more lightly strawberry, combined with a touch of cherry, blackcurrant bud, licorice, sweet spices/vanilla and a very discreet hint of cardamom. The tannins are fine and slightly tight. Good length and good persistence. A hint of zan lingers on the finish.

This is the northernmost of the many properties owned by major Bordeaux personality, Bernard Magrez. It shares the same richness as many of the wines produced under his name while also having a light touch of acidity and black-currant crispness. With the ability to age, it will be ready from 2023.