JCP Maltus, Château Teyssier, 2015 - Magnum
JCP Maltus, Château Teyssier, 2015 - Magnum
- 150cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Merlot, Cabernet Franc
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2035
JCP Maltus is the personal project of our friend Jonathan Maltus, the British entrepreneur who arrived in Saint-Émilion in the late 1990s and proceeded to do things his own way. Based at Château Teyssier on the limestone plateau, this is a wine that has always operated at the ambitious end of the Maltus portfolio — low yields, meticulous selection, and the kind of concentration that right-bank Merlot delivers when it's pushed hard. The 2015 vintage gave him exceptional raw material: a warm, dry summer that built fruit intensity without sacrificing freshness, and a harvest picked at near-perfect ripeness.
A decade on, this is in a lovely spot. The primary fruit is integrating, the oak has knitted in, and there's a composed, almost meditative quality to it now — dark plum, graphite, a whisper of iron and dried herbs. The tannins are polished but still purposeful.
At eleven years old, this 2015 is drinking beautifully now, with the primary fruit having integrated nicely with the earthy, mineral elements that define good Saint-Émilion. The tannins have softened into that satiny texture, whilst the wine retains enough freshness to keep it lively. It should hold this lovely drinking phase for another 3-5 years, with the fruit gradually giving way to more tertiary leather and tobacco notes. Being a magnum, it will age more slowly than standard bottles, potentially rewarding patience until 2035.
What the critics say:
"Bright summer berry compote and light pastry notes. The palate has a plush, ripe and open-knit feel. Drink now."
"Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Teyssier (a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc) gives up lovely black and red cherries notions with cinnamon stick, fragrant earth and potpourri nuances. Medium-bodied and fresh with a satiny texture, it's earthy and elegant in the mouth with a perfumed finish."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceMedium to deep ruby-purple with good intensity and clarity.
NoseBright summer berries leap from the glass alongside light pastry and cinnamon stick warmth. There's an earthiness underneath with hints of potpourri and fragrant herbs that speak to the limestone terroir. The whole bouquet feels fresh and inviting rather than heavy or extracted.
PalateMedium-bodied with a plush, open-knit texture that's immediately appealing. The fruit is ripe and generous with red and black cherries supported by silky tannins. An earthy elegance runs through the wine, keeping it grounded despite the generous fruit, with that satiny mouthfeel critics love to mention.
FinishPerfumed and fresh with the earthy minerality lingering pleasantly.
Overall impressionA Saint-Émilion that knows its place in the world, delivering exactly what you'd hope for without trying to be something it's not.
Food Pairings
In Bordeaux, this would naturally accompany the region's famous lamb from Pauillac, slowly roasted with herbs de Provence and garlic. The locals would also reach for it with duck confit, the rich, earthy flavours of the preserved duck leg matching the wine's plush fruit and mineral backbone. Côte de bœuf grilled over vine cuttings is another regional favourite, the smoky char and beef fat harmonising beautifully with Merlot's generous character. Cheese-wise, think of the local Cabécou goat's cheese or aged Comté from nearby Jura.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to let the fruit shine without losing the earthy complexity. A gentle decant for 30-45 minutes will help the wine open up, though it's approachable straight from the bottle. Use Bordeaux glasses with a generous bowl to concentrate the perfumed aromatics. The magnum format means this wine has aged more slowly and gracefully than its 750ml siblings.
Château Teyssier sits on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion's right bank, where clay-limestone soils provide excellent drainage whilst retaining enough moisture for the Merlot vines. The elevated position catches cooling breezes that help preserve acidity during the warm Bordeaux summers. This terroir naturally suits Merlot, allowing it to ripen fully whilst maintaining freshness, creating wines with both richness and elegance.
Saint-Émilion is Bordeaux's most romantic appellation, built around the medieval hilltop town and its ancient limestone cellars. Unlike the Médoc's Cabernet Sauvignon dominance, here Merlot reigns supreme, thriving in the clay-limestone soils. The appellation includes both the plateau around the town and the slopes leading down to the Dordogne, with each area producing distinct styles. Saint-Émilion's classification system, revised every decade, keeps producers on their toes in a way the static Médoc system doesn't.
We absolutely adore 2015 Bordeaux, and frankly, we think it might be the most underrated vintage of the decade. The growing season was a fairy tale: a warm, dry summer with just enough rain in September to plump up the grapes before a gloriously sunny harvest. The Right Bank had a particularly brilliant time of it, with Merlot ripening to perfection, whilst the Cabernet Sauvignon on the Left Bank achieved that magical balance between power and elegance that makes collectors weak at the knees.
What emerged were wines of remarkable concentration and finesse – think 2010's structure with 2009's generosity, but with their own distinct personality. The tannins are silky rather than muscular, the fruit is pure and focused, and there's an underlying freshness that keeps everything in perfect harmony. We find these wines utterly charming already, drinking beautifully now with a few hours in the decanter, but the best will happily cellar for another 15-20 years. If you're looking for Bordeaux that combines immediate pleasure with serious ageing potential, 2015 is your vintage.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Think bright summer berries with earthiness and spice, medium-bodied with silky tannins and a perfumed finish. It's classic right bank Bordeaux with generous Merlot fruit balanced by limestone minerality.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully now and will continue to do so until around 2030. The magnum format means it's aged more gracefully than standard bottles, so no need to wait.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Perfect with roasted lamb, duck confit, or grilled beef. The earthy elegance also works well with mushroom dishes and aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego.
Should I decant this wine?
A gentle 30-45 minute decant will help it open up, but it's perfectly enjoyable straight from the bottle. Serve at 16-17°C in Bordeaux glasses to get the best from those lovely aromatics.
Why choose the magnum format?
Magnums age more slowly and gracefully than standard bottles, giving you better integration and more refined flavours. Plus there's something rather special about opening a magnum that makes any dinner feel like an occasion.
Is this wine worth the investment?
Teyssier is a solid, reliable Saint-Émilion that delivers classic right bank character without the premium of the famous names. It's the sort of wine that reminds you why Bordeaux became famous in the first place.
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