A reliable Pomerol name that never compromises on its house style, majoring on firmly-expressed tannins and black fruits. It's a lovely wine that builds in power, and is more tannic than many Pomerols, always closer to ten years rather than eight to fully open up, particularly in a vintage like 2015. Drinking Window 2025 - 2040

95+ 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.

Crayon, slate, graphite, brilliant texture, slow build through the palate, thoroughly enjoyable, the exuberance of the vintage measured by the signature restraint and reticence of Gazin and translating into liquorice, cigar box, cassis, bilberry and violets, just coming fully into its drinking window. Harvest September 10 to October 7, Nicolas de Baillencourt owner, 50% new oak barrels for ageing.

The 2015 Gazin is a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc and has a medium to deep garnet color. It features high-toned notes of Morello cherries and redcurrant jelly before delivering a core of baked plums, unsmoked cigars, and wild sage with a touch of aniseed. Full-bodied, the palate is firm and chewy with a lively backbone supporting the generous fruit, finishing with great length.

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. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2015 Gazin has a more floral bouquet compared to its Pomerol peers. This is fresh and vital with black truffle-infused red fruit and a dab of fresh tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a mixture of red and black fruit. This is still resolutely classical in style with commendable sapidity toward the finish. This is a Gazin that I have admired for many years…and I still do. NB The bottle served blind at Farr's tasting did not exhibit the same lustre of vibrancy. Tasted at the 2015 Ten-Year-On tasting at Bordeaux Index. -- Neal Martin