2015 Bordeaux - Final Recommendations + Revealed: the new Carmes Haut Brion winery

At the beginning of the 2015 campaign, we advised those who thought we’d Leave to pile in before the pound plummeted, and those who thought we’d Remain to hold their fire until after the referendum as the subsequent bounce in sterling might result in the remaining primeurs looking cheaper now. Well, so much for this second thought. The wines that are left – and that includes the vast majority – are still priced at the opening levels for now, so there is still an opportunity to put some away at these original prices.

There are (still) wines which look good value to us, and these are on our lists

Some of the wines on these lists may be limited to a six-pack, so first come first served. We also have a few odds and ends of some of the more sought-after wines, so whatever you are looking for, except Canon, Figeac, Haut Bailly, La Violette and (bizarrely) Malescot, there may be a six-pack lurking if you are buying other things, it is always worth asking.

Classic wines from the vintage that we still recommend and are still available include wines from the most successful communes of the vintage, notably

from Margaux

2015 CHÂTEAU FERRIÈRE (£270/doz)

2015 CHÂTEAU GISCOURS (£390/doz)

2015 CHÂTEAU D’ISSAN (£420/doz)

2015 CHÂTEAU BRANE-CANTENAC (£460/doz)

from Pomerol

2015 CHÂTEAU ROUGET (£330/doz)

2015 CHÂTEAU BEAUREGARD (£355/doz)

from Pessac-Léognan

2015 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER (£460/doz)

Outside these areas there are some other outstanding wines we still recommend: 2015 CHÂTEAU CLERC MILON (£480/doz – limited)

2015 CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE BARTON (£580/doz – limited)

2015 CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE POYFERRÉ (£570/doz – limited)

2015 CHÂTEAU CALON SÉGUR (£570/doz – limited)

2015 CHÂTEAU GRAND PUY LACOSTE (£500/doz)

2015 CHÂTEAU BEAUSÉJOUR BÉCOT (£435/doz)

2015 CLOS FOURTET (£715/doz – limited)

2015 CHÂTEAU LYNCH BAGES (£890/doz)

2015 CHÂTEAU PICHON LALANDE (£995/doz – limited)

We have been asked for recommendations as to how to spend various different budgets, so here’s just one of those ideas – how to buy 10 cases for £2000 (OK, in our enthusiasm it’s actually £2186, but these are all winners): With a smaller budget of £1093 you could have half cases – so 1 case of 12 bottles of La Mauriane and a 6 bottle case of each of all the others. We are happy to make suggestions to suit any budget or taste so do talk to us – 020 7244 0522.

2 cases 12 bottles 2015 CHÂTEAU LA MAURIANE at £125 (£250)

1 case 12 bottles 2015 CHÂTEAU LABÉGORCE at £200

1 case 12 bottles 2015 CHÂTEAU ANGLUDET at £216

1 case 12 bottles 2015 CHÂTEAU POUJEAUX at £200

1 case 12 bottles 2015 CHÂTEAU FERRIÈRE at £270

1 case 12 bottles 2015 CHÂTEAU LES CRUZELLES at £180

1 case 12 bottles 2015 CHÂTEAU HAUT BATAILLEY at £300

1 case 12 bottles 2015 CHÂTEAU GLORIA at £285

1 case 12 bottles 2015 RÉSERVE DE LA COMTESSE £285

Finally…

…if you have had the persistence to read this far, here’s a bit of fun. We have 72 bottles left of 2015 CHÂTEAU LES CARMES HAUT BRION (480/doz). This tiny property in Bordeaux has had huge new investment and a New Philippe Starck-designed winery which has to be seen to be believed, but is really quite a triumph. All photographs were embargoed until the official ‘launch’ date of the 24th June, but here’s what it looks like – the building continues to widen under the river, so that the barrel cellar is wider than the cuverie above, and the whole thing is Tardis-like – very much larger on the inside than it appears from the outside. This was in use for the first time with the 2015 vintage and the resulting wine made by Guillaume Pouthier, who came here from Chapoutier in the Rhône, is plush and velvety, a big step up on anything made here before, making this a property to follow.