88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot, 0.5% Malbec. Following a relatively warm winter, the 2015 growing season at Inglenook began early, staying 14 to 21 days ahead of average from budbreak to harvest. Variable weather during flowering in May and limited precipitation for the fourth consecutive year, led to relatively low yields. Merlot, the first bordeaux variety to reach maturity, was picked on 22 August, followed nine days later by the first lot of Cabernet Sauvignon. The dry, warm weather during September resulted in optimal conditions for fruit ripening. Harvest was completed by 24 September. Sweet liquorice and ripe blackcurrant on the nose. There is a little heat on the palate that sticks out through the fruit, which is ripe and rounded. The tannins are fine and well managed, allowing the cassis and morello cherry to take centre stage. Hedonistic, if a little hot. (TP)