Chateau Gazin 2015

JAMES SUCKLING: "Lots of cedar, tea-leaf and hazelnut character and ripe fruit aromas. Citrus peel, too. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. Smoky undertone. This is structured and so complex. Drink in 2023."

JEB DUNNUCK: "A straight up smokin’ red from this vintage is the 2015 Château Gazin and it’s a big, powerful, stacked 2015 that’s for those with patience. Made from almost all Merlot (I think it’s 100%), my notes on this beauty start - and end - with “love it.” Cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, forest floor, and tons of minerality all soar from the glass of this sensationally rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied 2015 that has building tannin, a seamless texture, and a blockbuster finish. Forget bottle for 5-7 years and enjoy over the following two to three decades."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Continuing to develop nicely, the wine offers silky textures, floral, cocoa and plums from start to finish."

WEINWISSER: "Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Dunkelbeeriges Bouquet mit einer schwarzkörnigen Pfefferwürze, Brombeerstauden, wirkt tiefgründig und vielleicht hat er gerade deshalb noch keine Lust, sich nasal allzu intensiv zu offenbaren. Im Gaumen zeigt er dann Grösse und Erhabenheit, die Cabernetminderheit macht sich bemerkbar und beschert dem Wein Fleisch und Adstringenz. Er wirkt noch wenig entwickelt und scheint ein Spätzünder zu werden. Das Alterungspotenzial dürfte aber sehr beachtlich sein. Ich schätze ihn mindestens so gut wie seinen eigenen 2010er ein. Kann noch zulegen."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Gazin is scented of baked plums, Christmas cake, mincemeat and plum preserves with hints of chocolate box, coffee, tapenade and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied with mouth-filling baked berries and savory layers, it has firm, chewy tannins and a long finish."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Plush and warm, with fig, boysenberry and blackberry confiture notes inlaid with light charcoal, black tea and fruitcake hints. The fleshy finish lets the charcoal element lead the way. Best from 2022 through 2032. 6,833 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Bright, dark crimson. Rich and spicy. Very complete and flattering with ripeness and a grace note of freshness. Rather drying finish but very satisfying. Dense but not heavy."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Sumptuous Merlot dominates this ripe wine. Plenty of tannins give backbone to the powerful fruit and intense acidity. The wine is firm, both from wood aging and fruit tannins, and needs to age. Drink from 2025."

DECANTER: "Extremely tight and a little austere at this very early stage. There is excellent fruit quality here, and it will open up nicely over the next six to eight years."