Bernadotte 2015

The 2015 Bernadotte shoots above my expectation. It has a clean and fresh bouquet with plenty of appealing graphite notes. The palate is medium-bodied with dusky black fruit sprinkled with black pepper, good length and nicely focused. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

This has a very plush and slightly spicy palate with earthy notes as well as a gravelly, slightly leafy edge. The palate has a very composed core of fine, long tannins that finishes with gently grippy freshness. Try from 2021.

Deep ruby with a sweet damson and bramble fruit nose. The palate is rich, chalky and dense, with powerful ripe black fruits. Hints of spice and smoke come through on the finish of this plump, plush and juicy effort.

One of the stand out Cru Bourgeois I was able to taste is the 2015 Château Bernadotte which checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot, aged 12 months in one-third new barrels. It’s a terrific, floral, seamless, medium-bodied beauty that offers fine tannin, a silky texture, and integrated acidity. It shows the purity of the vintage and should drink nicely for a decade or more. 2018 - 2028