The 2015 Clarendelle, from Domaine Clarence Dillon (see Haut-Brion), is a blend of 83% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a generous bouquet with lively red cherries intermingling with redcurrant jam and cranberry. The palate is rounded on the entry with a savory edge, cedar and hints of cocoa infusing the red berry fruit, leading to a satisfying finish with commendable weight. This is well worth seeking out in terms of value and pleasure. It deserves respect, considering that they produced 1.2 million bottles at this level.

The 2015 Clarendelle Bordeaux is plump, juicy and nicely suited to drinking now and over the next few years. Sweet cherry, tobacco, menthol, licorice and dried herb notes are pushed forward in this pretty, mid-weight wine from Haut-Brion's Clarence Dillon negociant wines.