Bordeaux 1995

The 1995 Bordeaux vintage was released with great anticipation, as it followed a string of underwhelming years. A hot summer, followed by dry weather well into harvest, made for wines with huge tannins that have taken far longer to open up than anticipated and, only now, are revealing their true character.
The best wines from 1995 offer a sense of harmony and identity.
Below, I have selected a few personal highlights:
Haut Brion is for me wine of the vintage which offers wonderfully sweet tannins and flesh of fruit.
Ausone was certainly one of the finest wines form the Right Bank and many consider this to be the start of the current golden era under Alain Vaulthier.
Trotanoy is one of the dark horses of this vintage with incredible power and intensity - this needs 3-4 hours in the decanter.
Lynch Bages crafted a classically styled Pauillac that offers a wonderful tannin structure.
Gruard Larose is more open and up front.
Please see our selection below.

Ausone, Saint Emilion

WA 93
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Cheval Blanc, Saint Emilion

WS 93, WA 95
"Vintage from 15 September to 28 September. In the previous 50 years at Cheval Blanc, only the 1990 and the 1989 were harvested earlier which shows how things have changed more recently. 44 hl/hectare made - a generous vintage. 12.8% alcohol. 53% Cabernet Franc, 47% Merlot. Due to circumstances beyond his control (Mother Nature!), Pierre Lurton`s first great vintage. Smoky blueberries nose. Tremendously opulent - the Merlot was plump this year. This really rolls around the mouth. Very good indeed." Serena Sutcliffe, MW
Packaged in Original Wooden Case
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Cos d`Estournel, Saint Estephe

WS 94, WA 95
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Ducru Beaucaillou, Saint Julien

WS 95, WA 94
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Gruaud Larose, Saint Julien

WS 91, WA 89
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Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan

WS 95, WA 96
"Innate breed, intense perfume and absolute First Growth impact on the nose. Terrifically luscious in the mouth and so full of black fruit depth. A simply marvellous wine, silky and magnificent. Hedonistic heaven. Another bottle was all spice box, liquorice and cigars - tremendous. Then, at 18 years old, in Cambridge for the 350th anniversary of Pepys mentioning Haut Brion in his diary, still young and vibrant, with an incredibly spicy, peaty nose. Roses, smoke and sandalwood. Smouldering richness and concentration. This could go for 50 years." Serena Sutcliffe, MW
"Drinking superbly right now. Savory, spicy and supple. Tobacco. Great richness and length, balanced by lovely acidity. Very good." Jamie Ritchie:Representative blend: 45% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. The second wine is Clarence de Haut Brion (previously Bahans Haut Brion).
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Leoville Las Cases, Saint Julien

WS 95, WA 95
"Incredible blackcurrants and silky glycerol. All the joy and pleasure of this terrific vintage." Serena Sutcliffe, MW
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Lynch Bages, Pauillac

WS 91, WA 91
"Blackberries/Merlot nose comes through. Soft and opulent and ready. Will make many friends." Serena Sutclife, MW 
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Magdelaine, Saint Emilion

WS 91, WA 90
Owned and managed by the Moeuix family of Petrus fame, this classic right-bank Bordeaux is mature now and has evolved to offer tertiary notes of cigar box, leather and roasted mushroom with hints of red fruits. Velvety texture is supported by good acidity and tannic structure on the palate. Great value for a 20-year-old claret. 89pts
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Margaux, Margaux

WS 100, WA 95
"Wonderful scent of wild herbs and heather in flower. Exuberant spiciness, huge depth, fat and superb class. This is very serious wine. A glorious finish of cassis and blackberries." Serena Sutcliffe, MW
Representative blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc
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Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac

WS 94, WA 95, S 93
"Lovely, sleek, boysenberries bouquet, turning to cherry liqueur. Coffee, loganberries and sheer, bouncy health on the palate. A touch of cherries on the finish. Very glowing." Serena Sutcliffe, MW
Representative blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc
Label artist: Antoni Tapies
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Trotanoy, Pomerol

WS 96, WA 93
"That real damsons / Merlot nose. Heady and spicy. On the palate, the structure of 1998 but not the freshness and attack - it is also 3 years older! Wonderful rich, mocha flavours on the palate. Almost edible. Very complex, very intriguing. Drier than the 1998. Liquorice and vanilla pods." Serena Sutcliffe, MW
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