Barrel Sample. This wine offers fine fruit characteristics and plenty of acidity. It has structure while also reveling in attractive black-currant flavors. The wine is already balanced and will develop well.

The 2015 La Gurgue has plenty of ripe red cherry and cassis fruit on the nose, generous if perhaps not quite achieving the level of complexity of its peers at the moment. The palate is rounded on the entry with plenty of simple, plump, spice-tinged red fruit. The acidity is well-judged here, underpinning what feels like a "gentle" Margaux that should put on weight during its élevage, and then offer drinking pleasure over the following 10-15 years.

Mulled plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit glides along singed vanilla and sandalwood notes. The silky, black tea-infused finish is relatively open-knit, with a light tarry echo for added spine. Best from 2019 through 2028. 4,167 cases made.