Neal Martin on Bordeaux 2015: “A narrow pyramid”
Neal Martin’s Bordeaux 2015 report was released on The Wine Advocate this afternoon. Like many other reviewers, Martin suggests that 2015 is an “excellent” vintage in general – but currently lacks the across the board consistency of great vintages such as 2009 and 2010. In terms of hot spots for quality, he states: “The best wines tend to be in the southern Médoc, specifically Margaux and Pessac-Léognan, across the Right Bank in Saint Emilion and Pomerol, then into several satellite appellations”.
He highlights the exceptional quality of a handful of wines from 2015 – giving six potential 100-point scores – and likens the distribution of quality to a “narrow pyramid, whereas 2009 and 2010 would be flatter so that its average height higher”.
Martin also offers his views on the Bordeaux market, writing (in bold): “primeur works when the price is right”. He expresses concerns about Chateaux pricing strategy, suggesting that some are more concerned about the competitor pricing than pricing at the right level for consumers – and calls this “a dangerous game to play”.
His top barrel scores are shown in the table below.
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