(95 points) From an estate owned by the Grégoire family and managed by Julien Salles that’s seeing huge investments and renovation, the 2015 Château Ripeau checks in as 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up all in new oak. It’s a gorgeous wine on all accounts, which given that this terroir is located near Cheval Blanc, La Conseillante, and Figeac, should surprise no one. Beautiful notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, toasty oak, lead pencil shavings, and Asian spice all emerge from the glass and this beauty is full-bodied, concentrated and layered, with enough underlying structure to warrant 3-4 years of bottle age. This estate also utilizes consultant Claude Gros and this estate’s bandwagon is worth getting on for readers looking for an up and coming superstar.

This is the first year from the new owner of this small chateau in St.-Emilion, and it shows beautiful refinement and depth. It’s full-bodied yet very polished and refined with pretty tannins. Hints of smoke and spices on the finish. Watch this space. Beautiful now but can age beautifully.

Lush, silky, fresh and packed with black licorice, juicy, ripe plums and soft, polished tannins. Drink it now if you must, or give it 4-5 years to develop more complexities. The best vintage ever produced at Ripeau!93 Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2015&wine=Chateau%20Ripeau