In contrast to the precise, backward, yet massive 2016, the 2015 Château Mouton Rothschild offers a gorgeous, up-front, spicy perfume of spiced black and blue fruits, smoked tobacco, new leather, and lead pencil shavings. These carry to a full-bodied, deep, rich, layered, incredibly sexy wine that has beautiful tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. More in the style of the 2009, this already offers pleasure today yet will nevertheless evolve for 50+ years.

Offers a prodigious core of steeped fig, black currant and blackberry compote flavors, enmeshed with notes of smoldering tobacco, charcoal and licorice. Broad, deep and long, with a deep foundation of graphite through the finish. Despite the heft, this manages to show off some purity too. Best from 2025 through 2045.

A bold, dramatic wine, the 2015 Mouton-Rothschild sweeps across the palate with remarkable depth. Seemingly endless layers seem to open as the 2015 fills out its broad, ample frame. The tannins are silky and creamy, which give the 2015 much of its voluptuous, inviting personality, while the finish is both remarkably vivid and persistent. This is an especially dark, powerful Mouton. In 2015, harvest stretched from September 14 to October 2, a few days longer than normal. The blend is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Tasted two times.

Decadent and rich aromas of black cherries and plums with wet earth and sandalwood. Turns to dried mushrooms. Full-bodied, tight and closed with big, polished tannins, yet this is very closed and shy right now. Despite this, underneath it shows such depth and beauty. Tangy acidity. This is a combination of 2005 and 2009. Try it in 2024.

The 2015 Mouton-Rothschild is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, matured entirely in new oak, as usual. This represents a relatively high percentage of Merlot simply because, as winemaker Philippe Dhalluin told me, the quality was so good. I gave my sample four to five minutes to open as it was a little reduced at first, but it eventually reveals a gorgeous, extraordinarily intense bouquet of blackberry, cassis, incense and cold slate aromas. In some ways it reminds me of Latour as much as Mouton Rothschild. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins, perfectly pitched acidity, wonderful tension and impressive length. There is a strong graphite theme running from start to finish that is a little grainy, so it will preferably require a decade in the cellar. But what freshness and panache here: a classic Mouton-Rothschild that will live for 50 or 60 years, not a million miles away from, say, 1986 or 2010. Expect this to settle at the top of my banded score once in bottle.