2015 Chimney Rock Elevage
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Tasting notes
The Merlot-dominated 2015 Red Blend Elevage (there's 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and a tiny splash of Petit Verdot) is a more straightforward, enjoyable effort that has pretty notes of spiced red and black fruits and leafy herbs, medium-bodied flavors, good complexity, and moderate density and depth. Given how tightly wound the other 2015s are from this estate, this is actually the most drinkable today and will keep for at least 7-8 years.
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Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
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Chimney Rock's 2015 Red Blend Elevage is an inviting wine with soft contours, plummy fruit and lovely balance. Succulent dark cherry, plum and chocolate notes contribute to the wine's fleshy, open-knit personality.
A blend of 77% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Elevage reveals a deep garnet-purple color with an earthy/spicy nose along with dried herbs and notions of stewed plums and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, with chewy tannins and soft-spoken fruit, it finishes earthy.
The 2015 Proprietary Red Elevage, a completely different blend at 77% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, is slightly more powerful and bigger-framed wine with loads of juicy blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, mocha, spice and more glycerin and textural impact. It is typical of the lower yields of 2015, and the terrific ripeness and headiness of those wines.