Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2015

Eighth overall in the Bordeaux blends category. Established by Groupe Taillan (owner of Château Gruaud-Larose) in 1998, Osoyoos Larose is single vineyard planted to all five Bordeaux varieties, and has had a series of French winemakers. The 2015 vintage was vinified by Mathieu Mercier but the final blend was assembled by current winemaker, Caroline Schaller. I have been able to try every vintage since the inaugural 2001 release and, in some years, the components before assemblage. Usually backward and almost excruciatingly tannic in its youth, this is the friendliest vintage I have ever tasted. It’s polished, refined and expressive, with subtle wood spice and smoke atop red and black currants. The tannins are firm but not over-extracted, and it skips brightly across the palate. I did question if it was from Bordeaux. Drinking window: 2019-2027. Score – 92. (Michaela Morris, decanter.com, Oct. 23, 2018)