2015 Bordeaux – Ausone & Chapelle, Cheval Blanc & this morning’s releases

by Beth Thomas

As we near the end of this season’s en primeurs, we have more top right bank wines, including 2015 CHÂTEAU AUSONE , (£2800 per six) a stupendous wine made in microscopic quantities which has a real rarity value. Order now if interested. The 2015 is offered well below the prices of 2005, 2009 and 2010, which are all £8-9000 a case. We have a tiny quantity of the second wine, 2015 LA CHAPELLE D’AUSONE. (£675 per six). Also out from the Vauthiers (who own Ausone) is their new acquisition, 2015 CHÂTEAU LA CLOTTE (£240 per six bottles) . This was a property that made wines we liked even before they took it over. Facing Ausone at the same elevation, but the other side of he combe in which the town of Saint Emilion lies, this tiny property has made its best wine yet, but the price also significantly up on any previous vintage.

Offered ostensibly at the same price is 2015 CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC, but already the Bordeaux market is discounting this, knowing that they are likely to be sitting on it for years. For Cheval Blanc to try to match Ausone, in a year when they have boasted that they made no second wine at all (so this is a huge crop), is an act of folie de grandeur which makes all the other overpriced releases of this campaign pale into insignificance. Currently we can offer at £2625 per six bottles, let us know if you would like some.

This morning saw the release of CHÂTEAU FIGEAC  (97-99 Neal Martin). This was a vintage that the winemaker was quick to compare to the 2005 & 2010, a comparison that has been made all too much of this vintage, however in this case, we are rather inclined to agree. Very little was sold in the UK last year, and there is very little around, so for now we can only confirm those we have so far, any other orders will join the queue if more stock does become available.

CHÂTEAU LA CONSEILLANTE is also out and again only available in limited supply – please email now.

There are still plenty of good wines to be had, some even at fair prices – see our Recent Releases page for all 2015 wines.