Bordeaux 2015, Chateau Margaux vines
Vines at Chateau Margaux in June 2015
(Image credit: Vines at Chateau Margaux in June 2015)

Chateau owners in Medoc say the Bordeaux 2015 vintage has got off to a good start following excellent flowering conditions in the vineyard, despite some concerns over recent rain.

Image: Chateau Margaux vines.

The flowering period of the Bordeaux 2015 growing season has put chateaux owners in an optimistic mood, with several describing conditions as ‘perfect’.

‘There is still a long way to go, but we have nice, big bunches and that means there is good potential for quantity,’ said Philippe Dhalluin, of first growth Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac.

The character and quality of the Bordeaux 2015 vintage can still be determined in the next three months. There have already been concerns about rot in some vineyards due to recent bouts of rain.

In 2014, the growing season got off to an early start but was pinned back by a cold, damp August – only to be rescued by the hottest September in Bordeaux for decades.

Bordeaux 2015, Chateau Montrose

Flowering at Chateau Montrose in St Estephe
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

At Chateau du Tertre and Chateau Giscours, director Alexander Van Beek said he was particularly impressed with the Merlot flowering period. ‘We haven’t seen this with Merlot for years,’ he told Decanter.com.

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Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.