Before we get to where to taste 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur, we have great news for you first. With luck, if everything goes well, (And we all know how often that goes right), by the second week of March, we should be up and running with a new website. You’ll experience an all new, fully updated, responsive design that will be completely different visually and technologically from what you are seeing now. The new version of the site will be much faster, more intuitive and easier for you to use. We’ll have new content for you to read as well.
Now, about where to taste the new vintage. There is already a lot of hot, early talk about the 2015 Bordeaux vintage taking place, due to the 2015 Bordeaux Growing Season and Harvest. The buzz in the air has more people coming to Bordeaux than the region has seen in 5 years. It’s going to be crowded this year. And as you can see below, there are countless tastings to attend in Bordeaux during En Primeur. It’s going to be one crazy week! If you are going to be in Bordeaux to taste the 2015 Bordeaux vintage, these are some of the better, more comprehensive tastings you can attend. If you know of other En Primeur tastings, please post or contact me with the information so I can add it to this page.
The official start of the annual En Primeur Bordeaux tasting is slated for Monday, April 4. However, if you’re in Bordeaux as early as Saturday, April 2, you should be able to keep quite busy tasting wine. While some tastings will be available as late as Friday, April 8, the vast majority of the 2015 Bordeaux tasting opportunities will terminate Thursday, April 7. While there are tastings all over Bordeaux with various negociants, appellations, trade groups, consultants and organizations, there are several chateaux that only allow you taste at the property in every appellation. For example, you can only taste the First Growths at the chateau. The list of estates that insist you taste at the property continues expanding. While I understand the logic behind it, and admittedly, it does benefit the chateau, it’s not a good trend for the Bordeaux region at large because most people can only stay 3-4 days, making it more difficult to taste as many wines as they would like. Also, when planning your schedule, while there are numerous tastings that do not require a set appointment, to avoid being turned away, you might want to make sure of their requirements to avoid any issues, especially for a vintage that is attracting more people than usual. In other words, it helps to make an appointment in advance.
If tasting all that 2015 Bordeaux makes you hungry and you’re wondering about where to go for dinner in Bordeaux, in the vineyards or the city, our Guide to Where to Eat in Bordeaux should tell you what you need to know with some great tips for dining in Bordeaux ranging from small cafes to high-end, Michelin starred restaurants. If you have not booked where you’re staying yet, Where to Stay in Bordeaux is filled with tips on hotels in all price ranges in the city and in the vineyards.
The more I hear about the 2015 vintage, and as the date for my arrival in Bordeaux continues marching closer, I am truly excited to get my first look, or should I say taste of the 2015 wines. As a guess, I’ll taste over 600 different wines at all price points from the majority of the appellations over a 2 week period. This includes wines from all the top chateau as well as hundreds of small value Bordeaux wines and petits chateau. We will publish detailed tasting notes and ratings on the wines by late April.
While I did not list negociant tastings that take place in Bordeaux in this article, most of the top negociants provide great tastings for the wine they sell. Also, almost every chateau hosts tastings of their wine from Monday through Thursday. While most chateau hold open tastings that do not require appointments, that is not always the case. If you plan on going to some of the top estates, you will be much better served if you book your visit in advance.
Where to taste 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur…
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur tastings The following chateau will be open to taste 2015 Bordeaux for professionals in the wine trade and consumers from Tuesday, April 5 until Thursday, April 7. The UGC tastings for the 2015 Bordeaux vintage are being held at the following Chateaux:
Chateau Lafon Rochet – Pauillac and St. Estephe
Chateau Gruaud Larose – St. Julien
Chateau du Tertre – Margaux
Chateau Citran – Haut Medoc, Moulis, Listrac, Medoc
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere – Pessac Leognan, Graves
Chateau La Couspaude – St. Emilion
Chateau Beauregard – Pomerol
Chateau La Lagune – Sauternes and Barsac
There will also be a comprehensive UGC tasting at the new football stadium in Bordeaux, Stade de Bordeaux, with all the participating members of the UGC showing their 2015 wine Monday, April 4. On Tuesday, April 5, at the Stade de Bordeaux, the UGCB will be presenting the wines of Pessac Leognan, Graves and the Right Bank with wines from St. Emilion, Pomerol as well as from Sauternes. April 6 Wednesday will feature the wines from the UGC members located in the Medoc and Sauternes at the Stade de Bordeaux. Monday April 4 is set aside primarily for those in the distribution part of the chain and journalists. You must be registered with the UGC and book an appointment in advance, or attend with a negociant or chateau for the Stade de Bordeaux tastings. They are not open to the general public.
Association Grand Cru Classe Classified wines of St. Emilion Tuesday April 5 – Thursday, April 7 Chateau Villemaurine St. Emilion. Contact and registration: Virginia Larramona virginie.larramona @ agccse.fr
Tasting Saint-Emilion – Pomerol – Fronsac Starting Tuesday, April 5 to Thursday, April 7. Contact www.vins-saint-emilion.com/
Cercle Rive Droite tasting 2014 Bordeaux En Primeur tastings Tastings are being held at Chateau Bellefont Belcier in St. Emilion, Saturday, April 2. There will also be tastings held Monday, April 4 to Wednesday, April 6 at Chateau Laroze in St. Emilion for the Right Bank wines. For the Left Bank wines, they will also be available April 4 to April 6 at Chateau Rochemorin in Pessac Leognan. For more information, [email protected]
Pessac-Leognan 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur tastings April 4 to April 7. Contact and registration: [email protected]
Ulysse Cazabonne Sunday, April 3 – Friday, April 8, located next to Rauzan-Segla in Margaux. Contact – www.ulysse-cazabonne.com
THE GRAND VINTEX TASTING Sunday, April 3 only at the Restaurant “Le Carré du Lac” – Camping de Bordeaux – Boulevard Jacques Chaban-Delmas For registration or information, please send Email to: [email protected]
Dourthe is hosting their annual trade only tasting at Chateau Belgrave, Monday, April 4 to Friday April 8, 9am – 6pm. For more information, [email protected]
Stephane Derenoncourt 2015 Bordeaux La Grappe En Primeur From Monday, April 4 to Thursday, April 7, 10am to 7pm at La Gaffeliere in St. Emilion Contact: [email protected] or www.derenoncourtconsultants.com
Michel Rolland Team 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur tastings Wines produced by the team of Michel and Dany Rolland and the Michel and Dany Rolland owned wines, better known as The Rolland Collection will also be available at Chateau La Dominique in Saint Emilion, Monday, April 4 to Thursday, April 7. [email protected]
Hubert-de-Bouard 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur tastings Monday, April 4 to Friday, April 8 at Chateau Angelus in St. Emilion. However, Friday is a short day as they will only be open a few a few hours Friday morning. The tasting features Chateau Angelus, Chateau Bellevue and Chateau La Fleur de Bourd, and all the de Bouard consulted wines. For additional information, [email protected]
Jean-Luc-Thunevin 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur tastings The wines of Jean Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud has and the other family owned wines along with wines from all various estates they work with as consultants and as negociants. The comprehensive tasting has not only wines from Bordeaux, but really good wines from the Rhone Valley, especially Chateauneuf du Pape, Spain and other wine regions as well. The tastings are from Monday April 4 to Thursday, April 7 from 9am to 6pm, 3-7 rue Vergnaud Saint Emilion. Contact: [email protected]
The wines of Stephan von Neipperg and Silvo Denz Starting Monday, April 4 through Thursday, April 7 at Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere St. Emilion. Contact [email protected]
Lettres de Chateaux Sunday, April 3 at Chateau Guiraud you can taste the wines of Canon La Gaffeliere, Domaine de Chevalier and Chateau Guiraud. By invitation only. Contact [email protected]
Bordeaux Oxygene April 5 and April 6 at Clos des Jacobins in St. Emilion.
Nicolas Thienpont consulted wines are being shown at Pavie Macquin in Saint Emilion, April 4 to April 7.
AXA Group All the wines in the AXA group will be available April 4 to Friday, April 8 at Pichon Baron in Pauillac.
Vignobles Garcin Monday, April 4 to Friday April 8 from 9.00 a.m. to 18.00 p.m at Chateau Barde Haut in St. Emilion. The entire lineup of wines from St. Emilion, Pomerol, Pessac Leognan, Cotes de Castillon and Mendoza Argentina will be available.
The wines of Bernard Magrez 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur tastings April 4 through Thursday, April 7 at Chateau Chateau Pape Clement 9 am to 7 pm. Registration reserved for professionals www.bernard-magrez.com
Jonathan Maltus The wines of Jonathan Maltus will be will be available April 4 through Thursday, April 7 at Chateau Teyssier in St Emilion by appointment. The wines of Jonathan Maltus will also be available in St. Emilion at Le Pavillon Villemaurine the same dates. For information, Contact Myriam Carrre [email protected]
Lalande de Pomerol tasting Monday, April 4 to Thursday, April 7 Grand Hotel de Bordeaux. Contact Nathalie Diffi: [email protected]
Tasting Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur Futures Starting April 4 – Contact Planet Bordeaux .
Tasting Cotes de Bourg Starting Monday, April 4 Contact Didier Gontier [email protected]
Wine tasting Union Graves More than 50 different producers of red and white wine will be presenting their wine. Contact [email protected]
Sweet white Bordeaux Wine Tasting Contact Maitena Idiart [email protected]
Listrac Medoc 2015 Contact: [email protected]
Expression de Fronsac From Saturday April 2 to Thursday April 7 at Chateau La Grace Fonrazade in St.Emilion Contact: [email protected]
Biodynamic-Tasting Monday, April 4 and Tuesday, April 5 at Chateau Fonroque in Saint Emilion. The Syndicat des Vignerons en Culture Bio-Dynamique will be showing 2015 Bordeaux as well as older vintages. Additionally winemakers from Alsace, Champagne, Bordeaux, Corse, Sud-Ouest, Loire et Cotes du Rhone will also be showing their wines made from grapes that come exclusively from Bio Dynamically farmed vineyards. For more information: www.biodyvin.com
Crus Bourgeois tasting Alliance From Monday, April 4 to Thursday, April 8. Contact: [email protected]
Wines of CA Grand Crus From Monday April 4 to Friday April 8, between 9.30am and 6.00pm daily at Chateau Meyney.
Biturica Vignerons du Sud-Medoc Sunday, April 3 at Chateau Cambon La Pelouse in Haut Medoc.
Pomerol Seduction Tuesday, April 5 and April 6, 10am-6pm at Clos du Clocher in Pomerol
Vinaria Thierry Jouan Bernard Crebassa At Chateau Pindefleurs in St. Emilion. Tuesday, April 5 – April 7. For more information, Contact [email protected]
Artemis Group Right Bank Wines At Chateau Siaurac in Lalande de Pomerol, the wines of the Artemis Group and Goldschmidt Family, Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3. [email protected]
Hors Classement Tuesday April 5 to Thursday April 7 at Chateau Du Glana in Saint Julien.
Stephane Toutoundji, Thomas Duclos, Julien Belle, Oenoteam Consultants April 4th to 6th from 10.00 am to 6.00 at Chateau Haut Sarpe in Saint-Emilion. Contact: [email protected]
Cru Artisians du Medoc April 4 – April 7 at Chateau des Graviers
The Castel Group will be hosting a tasting at Chateau Montlabert in St. Emilion, April 5.
There are also numerous chateau that are not available at various public tastings. Please contact the chateaux you wish to taste to make sure you know where the wines are available.
Please, if you know of other 2015 Bordeaux En Primeur wine tastings, please either add them to the comments box, or send me an Email and I will add the information to the post.
