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The overall impression of the 2015 vintage in the Rhône based on this tasting is that this is a good year: the whites are fresh and elegant; the reds concentrated yet equally fresh and poised.
Top white - South
Domaine la Monardiere Vacqueyras Blanc la Galejade 2015 waxy and full, floral and fresh, substantial. Good.
Top white - North
Domaine Stephane Ogier Condrieu la Combe de Malleval 2015 leesy, oaky and substantial with fresh, adept fruit. Very Good.
Top Reds - South
Domaine du Pesquier Gigondas 2015 spicy, fresh with dark fruit, plump and supple texture and fine, firm tannins. Very Good.
Domaine Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape Chante de Merle VV 2015 fresh, plump and harmonious; spicy and complex. Very Good.
Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2015 cherry-fruited and spicy, poised, fresh harmonious and complex with fine, muscular tannins. Very Good.
Top Red - North
Domaine Jean-Michel Stephan Cote Rotie Coteaux de Bassenon 2015 plump, supple and mineral with dark fruit. Very Good
Dom Nicolas Boiron 2015 Côtes du Rhône
16.5 points
Pale garnet. Warm, approachable nose with some dried herbs on the end. Good freshness and very appetising. Long. GV
Drink 2017-2019
£65 per case of 12 ib OW Loeb
Dom du Pesquier 2015 Vacqueyras
16.5 points
Mid crimson with a pale rim. Delightfully sweet, ripe nose. Very heady and exciting with good energy. I've had Châteauneufs that were not nearly as pleasurable as this. Hint of menthol adds to the fresh impression. GV
Drink 2017-2022
£105 per case of 12 ib OW Loeb
Dom de Fontbonau 2015 Côtes du Rhône
16 points
Mid crimson. Quite a gamey nose. Then very rich and spicy on the palate. Just a bit too much for me. But would be very rewarding for those who seek concentration and ripeness. Quite a statement!
Drink 2019-2023
£95 per case of 6 ib OW Loeb
Dom du Murinais, Caprice de Valentin 2015 Crozes-Hermitage
17 points
Blackish glossy crimson. Really rather sumptuous though its oaky petticoat is showing a little at the moment. Very round and ripe and gorgeous. I defy anyone not to be seduced by this, even though it is about three times riper than a typical Crozes. GV
Drink 2019-2024
£85 per case of 6 ib OW Loeb
Stéphane Ogier, La Rosine Syrah 2015 IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
17 points
Good, healthy, direct northern Rhône Syrah on the nose with quite a bit of polish but honesty too. Appetising and long. GV
Drink 2018-2023
£150 per case of 12 ib OW Loeb
Jean Lionnet, Terre Brûlée 2015 Cornas
17points
Blackish crimson. Salty/treacly nose with masses of fruit. Is this really Cornas?! Masses of pleasure. Most impressive! And not a silly price.
Drink 2018-2025
£225 per case of 12 ib OW Loeb
Stéphane Ogier, Réserve 2015 Côte Rôtie
17 points
Healthy deep crimson. A hint of oak on the nose here. Then rich and refined with more concentration than some. Masses of energy. Coiled-spring sensation. Splits the difference between classicism and modernism.
Drink 2020-2032
£245 per case of 6 ib OW Loeb
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