Vinous (91-93)

Inky ruby. Pungent black and blue fruit and succulent herb aromas, along with hints of cracked pepper, licorice and violet and a suave floral nuance. Broad, seamless and appealingly sweet, offering juicy blackberry and violet pastille flavors and hints of spicecake and dark chocolate. Clings with strong tenacity and focus on the finish, which is framed by smooth, harmonious tannins.

Behold, Fondreche Ventoux Divergente 2015, an exquisite Old World wine crown jewel. Crafted near the Mount Ventoux in Southeastern Rhône, its birthplace contributes a unique and robust terroir. The acclaimed winemaker, Sebastien Vincenti, who follows organic and biodynamic practices, carefully oversees the process. This beauty is a culmination of 100% Grenache, aged in cement tanks to maintain the purity of fruit and expression of the soil.

Fondreche Ventoux Divergente 2015 is a matured vintage with immense ageing potential of another decade or two and its low production makes it highly sought-after. Its deeply intense, complex character offers an enticing nose of black fruit, kirsch, truffle and lavender, effortlessly reaching a broad palate with prominent tannic structure and long finish. Bold yet elegant, this wine signifies the epitome of Ventoux’s potential. Revel in the formidable balance of this divine nectar, a testament to harmonious winemaking.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Tasted blind. Mid crimson. Peppery, spicy nose. The considerable tannic charge is just ripe enough. This is a success! Confident stuff. Complete and honest. Lots of density.

Wine Advocate (94)

From a lieu-dit adjoining La Landonne and Côte Rozier, the 2015 Cote Rotie les Rochins shows remarkable purity of fruit. The cassis waves come crashing down terraced slopes in a rich, velvety wave. It's a bit jammy, in the character of the vintage, but what did you expect? It should drink well through its 20th birthday.

Wine Advocate (95)

Half of the fabulous 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee les Origines was aged in new barriques, the rest in concrete vats, so there is some oak in play here, but the blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah has absorbed much of it. This full-bodied wine is tannic and rich, with fruit shading from cherries and red plums all the way through to plum and cola. Mocha and baking spices appear on the long, velvety finish.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

I loved the 2015 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis from barrel, and this beauty does not disappoint from bottle. Coming from a handful of top sites, it’s made in the same fashion as the top La Las, seeing four years in new barrels. Deep purple-hued with a classic bouquet of black raspberries, jammy blackberries, acacia flowers, vanilla bean, and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a rounded, expansive mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a great, great finish. Savvy readers will stock up on this beauty. Give it 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

I loved the 2015 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis from barrel, and this beauty does not disappoint from bottle. Coming from a handful of top sites, it’s made in the same fashion as the top La Las, seeing four years in new barrels. Deep purple-hued with a classic bouquet of black raspberries, jammy blackberries, acacia flowers, vanilla bean, and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a rounded, expansive mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a great, great finish. Savvy readers will stock up on this beauty. Give it 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more.

James Suckling (99)

A very complex and complete nose with everything so integrated and beautifully judged. There are ripe blackberries, blood plums, fragrant spices, dark stones and roasted coffee, to name just some of what is already on offer here. The palate has such richness and such build and layering with ripe dark plums and blackberries, clothed in robes of spice-laden, velvety tannins in a majestic mode. Pure class and a great vintage for sure. One of the best ever. Best from 2025.

Wine Advocate (99)

Like the La Mouline, the 2015 Cote Rotie La Turque comes across as slightly closed—I wouldn't be surprised to see it inch up to a perfect rating in a decade or so. Lashings of ground spices—pepper, allspice, cardamom—are sprinkled over mixed berries, but this full-bodied wine is locked up tight, finishing with firm tannins. Give it at least 5-6 years, maybe even a decade or so, before pulling a cork.

Wine Advocate (99)

Like the La Mouline, the 2015 Cote Rotie La Turque comes across as slightly closed—I wouldn't be surprised to see it inch up to a perfect rating in a decade or so. Lashings of ground spices—pepper, allspice, cardamom—are sprinkled over mixed berries, but this full-bodied wine is locked up tight, finishing with firm tannins. Give it at least 5-6 years, maybe even a decade or so, before pulling a cork.

Vinous (97)

Deep, glass-staining ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, fruitcake and incense on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with vibrant black and blue fruit liqueur, allspice and violet pastille flavors, enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds with aeration. Shows a suave blend of richness and vivacity, and no rough edges. Spicy and expansive on the strikingly long, sappy finish, which features resonating dark berry character and youthfully chewy tannins.

Vinous (97)

Deep, glass-staining ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, fruitcake and incense on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with vibrant black and blue fruit liqueur, allspice and violet pastille flavors, enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds with aeration. Shows a suave blend of richness and vivacity, and no rough edges. Spicy and expansive on the strikingly long, sappy finish, which features resonating dark berry character and youthfully chewy tannins.

Vinous (97)

Deep, glass-staining ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, fruitcake and incense on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with vibrant black and blue fruit liqueur, allspice and violet pastille flavors, enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds with aeration. Shows a suave blend of richness and vivacity, and no rough edges. Spicy and expansive on the strikingly long, sappy finish, which features resonating dark berry character and youthfully chewy tannins.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The 2015 Hermitage Ex Voto Blanc is certainly in the same league as the 2009 and 2010, and it’s going to be interesting to compare these vintages over the coming 2-3+ decades. The 2015 has all the hallmarks of a great vintage with its huge bouquet of quince, toasted almonds, brioche, liquid rocks, and honeysuckle as well as touch of licorice. Sensationally concentrated, opulent, and multi-dimensional on the palate, it has bright acidity and an awesome sense of minerality that keep the wine chiseled and focused on the palate. It has the structure of a red wine and will keep for 4-5 decades. Bravo!

Wine Spectator (96)

This ripples with stunning raspberry and boysenberry coulis flavors, inlaid liberally with anise and apple wood notes and carrying through the well-defined finish. Lush in feel overall, with a mocha note draped over everything, keeping terrific energy in reserve. Best from 2020 through 2030.

Vinous (92)

Brilliant ruby. Bright and focused on the nose, displaying spice- and mineral-tinged red berry, cherry and floral scents that pick up smoke and cracked pepper nuances as the wine opens up. Juicy and light on its feet, especially given the vintage, offering sweet raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors and a hint of salty olive paste. Fine-grained tannins add grip to a long, lively finish that echoes the olive and cherry notes.

John Livingstone-Learmonth (5)

The bouquet is bold, on beef stock, iron, dense black berries, has a poised, integral sweetness, airs of raspberry liqueur, oak smoke. It’s a solid start. The palate has the theme of mineral well placed through it, a lot of mountain of matter, thickening towards the finish. It holds sparkling and dense fruits – cassis, soaked cherries. It is vibrant and very full; there is real flair off its sun-dialled deck. It has great juice; it’s a treat to taste this. Decanting advised. It has a lot of black fruits, a belle freshness to underpin it; it’s very long.

Wine Advocate (94-97+)

Even better than the Vendange cuvee, and I suspect one of the wines of the vintage, Stephane’s 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Côtes Capelan is the top wine of the estate and is made from 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, raised 70% in concrete and 30% in barrels. There’s under 500 cases of this beauty and it reveals a deep purple color as well as decadent notes of blackberries, blackcurrants, crushed rocks and melted licorice. Full-bodied, thick, unctuous and massively concentrated, with ripe tannin and a killer finish, don’t miss it!

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin is all Grenache, 40% whole cluster, aged in two-thirds foudre and one-third demi-muids and drawn exclusively from sandy sites. It showcases incredibly lush, silky fruit. Raspberries and cherries of incredible purity add hints of chocolate on the long finish but never seem heavy or warm.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is a tour de force. Raspberry and apricot-scented fruit, rich chocolate notes and an incredible whirlwind of spice are delivered in this full-bodied wine that shows no heat, just waves of flavor. It should drink well for 20 years or more.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is a tour de force. Raspberry and apricot-scented fruit, rich chocolate notes and an incredible whirlwind of spice are delivered in this full-bodied wine that shows no heat, just waves of flavor. It should drink well for 20 years or more.

Vinous (94-96)

Deep ruby. Spicy and energetic on the highly perfumed nose, displaying intense black raspberry and cherry scents and strong suggestions of candied lavender and smoky minerals. Supple, sweet and focused on the palate, offering deeply concentrated yet energetic red berry liqueur and cherry compote flavors that tighten up steadily with aeration. Shows excellent lift and clarity on the strikingly long, mineral-accented finish, which features lingering raspberry and floral notes and harmonious tannins. The interplay of power and finesse here is really something.

Crafted by the exceptional Patricia and Philippe Lemenicier, the Lemenicier Cornas 2015 is an impressive representation of Northern Rhône wines. Deeply coloured and instilled with intense aromas of blackcurrants, leather, and earth, this red wine undeniably captures Cornas's unique terroir. Each vintage hails from 40-year-old Syrah vines grown in the 'Les Mejeans' and 'Combe' vineyards, which have superb granite soils.

Respecting traditional winemaking techniques, the Lemenicier Cornas 2015 underwent a long maceration period, followed by ageing for 18 months in oak. The result is a potent yet balanced pairing of rich, dark fruit and tannic structure, typical of a well-aged Cornas. With its velvety texture and persistent finish, this wine is excellent alongside hearty meat dishes. The Lemenicier estate, a family-run operation based in Cornas since 1979, continues to produce high-quality, expressive wines, with the 2015 vintage being no exception. Simultaneously robust and elegant, the Lemenicier Cornas 2015 embodies the essence of a true Cornas gem.

Jancis Robinson (17+)

Strong perfume and baked fruits on the nose. Impressive density and weight on the palate, though there is perhaps a quicker finish than might be expected. Perhaps this will develop with age? The tannin may be high, but there is a finely ground feel to it that is surprisingly accessible.

Wine Advocate (93)

Raised mostly in concrete, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape features gentle strawberry-raspberry fruit and loads of subtle spice. It's medium to full-bodied, marked by silky tannins and a long finish. It's not the most powerful, concentrated wine, but it's certainly one of the most elegant. It's 85% Grenache, with the balance a mix of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault.

Vinous (92-94)

(aged in concrete tanks for the Grenache and barriques for the Mourvèdre) Deep ruby. Heady, smoke-accented aromas of black and blue fruits, incense and potpourri gain vivacity from a zesty mineral flourish. Densely packed black raspberry and blueberry flavors open up and turn spicier with air. Shows a suave blend of richness and finesse, offering outstanding focus and tenacity, subtle tannic grip and no excess fat.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

One of the wines of the vintage, the 2015 Côte Rôtie Belle Helene is up there with the handful of greatest young Syrahs I've ever been lucky enough to taste. Coming all from the Côte Rozier lieu-dit in the northern portion of the appellation, just above Guigal's la Landonne lieu-dit, this majestic wine offers incredible blue fruits, liquid violets, olive tapenade, and aged meats. Full-bodied, ultra-fine, deep, concentrated, and as seamless and pure as it gets. It's already approachable (which is rare for this cuvée) due to its perfectly ripe tannin, yet will need 7-8 years of bottle age and keep for 2-3 decades.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

One of the wines of the vintage, the 2015 Côte Rôtie Belle Helene is up there with the handful of greatest young Syrahs I've ever been lucky enough to taste. Coming all from the Côte Rozier lieu-dit in the northern portion of the appellation, just above Guigal's la Landonne lieu-dit, this majestic wine offers incredible blue fruits, liquid violets, olive tapenade, and aged meats. Full-bodied, ultra-fine, deep, concentrated, and as seamless and pure as it gets. It's already approachable (which is rare for this cuvée) due to its perfectly ripe tannin, yet will need 7-8 years of bottle age and keep for 2-3 decades.