Bigger structure than the 2014, but honestly there isn't much between them in terms of enjoyment. This has a more enticing aromatic structure, and has more depth to the chocolate and plum character, with pleasurable edges of oak smoke. Pretty closed right now, this will take another couple of years to come around. It has better potential, but for drinking over the next five years I would go for 2014. 60% new oak, 25% one year and the rest in cement eggs.

Made almost exclusively from Merlot with just a 5% splash of Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Fonplegade is deep garnet-purple in color with a very pretty nose of red and black currants, wild thyme, charcuterie, earth and floral notes plus a fair amount of cedary notions in the background. Medium to full-bodied, it's wonderfully elegant, fine and fresh in the mouth with arresting purity and depth, finishing just a little woody. Give it 3-5 years for the oak to marry and the fruit to come to the forefront, and drink it over the next 10 to 15+ years.