Mission Codename Fair and square
Goodness gracious, Le Dôme is sold out, that was an impressive pile you made disappear, kudos!
Here’s as close as we can get following that act up… the Saint-Émilion by JCP continues with our final few bottles of Le Carre…
With a pair of 95s from Jeb and James who describe it as “seriously endowed” while “supple, even, and plush.” Sound good? Gets better.
Because it’s at a full HALF OFF like its sister Le Dôme. You can spend MUCH more on similarly scored Right Bank cult reds. Or not.
JCP is known for a certain style. Some call it bombastic. We call it fantastic. Or hedonistic…
The man has a LONG list of 95-100-point wines. He emerged as a leading visionary from the 1990s ‘garagiste’ period in Saint-Émilion, where he pushed the limits and broke all the traditional rules to set new expectations for quality and price. He does it all, notably across places like Le Dôme and Teyssier. You’ll also recognize him from the extremely popular World’s End deals, or the ‘Les Astéries’ we offered a month back which is a sister wine to this.
As Dunnuck said, “Saint-Émilion produced an incredible number of outstanding wines that are on par with what was achieved in 2009 and 2010, both being extraordinary vintages.” With some age this inky beast has been tamed into a domesticated tiger. The harmony of 85% Merlot and 15% Cab Franc is sipping BEAUTIFULLY today and will stay sexy for another good decade. A vibrant core of fruit - roasted black plums, steeped cherries, and dried summer strawberries abound. Dusty tobacco and mocha add a savory edge. A graphite minerality runs through it, and velvety, ripe tannins round out the polished feel. It all carries into a filibuster finish that goes on and on.
Like the Dôme, the Astéries, and World’s Ends before when this is gone, it’s GONE!
95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“The rich, full-bodied 2015 Le Carré is locked and loaded, offering powerful notes of black raspberries, tobacco leaf, and chocolate. A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc that was brought in early to mid-October, this seriously endowed Saint Emilion still maintains a terrific sense of elegance and purity, and has building, ripe tannins hiding under its fruit. Drink this brilliant effort any time over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2018-2033.”
95 points – James Suckling
“Vibrant, summer-berry compote wrapped in a sheen of baking spices and fresh cedary oak. The palate’s supple, even, and plush with densely layered mocha, dark-plum and dark-cherry flavors. Immaculate tannins and mouthfeel. Best from 2022.”
What the Winery Says
2015 St.-Émilion Grand Cru
- Proprietor
- Jonathan Maltus
- Consulting Oenologist
- Thomas Duclos
- Winemaker
- Neil White
- Varietals
- 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
- Vintage
- 2015
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Appellation
- Saint-Émilion, Libourne
- Vineyard
- Le Carré
- Soil
- Deep clay over limestone
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 100% new French oak