2014 Red Bordeaux
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Chateau Cantemerle,
For laying down,
Chateau Cantemerle was the last wine to be added to the famous 1855 classification in Bordeaux but it is always one of the first wines to consider when it comes to value for money. It really shows its class in 2014, with some classic claret characteristics (try saying that when you’ve had a few glasses). Fragrant with well-defined blackcurrant aromas, notes of cigar box , black tea and vanilla. There is good substance here with ample length. A lovely example of a more ‘old school’ style Bordeaux.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot 6 Cabernet Franc 4% Petit Verdot
60% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot 6 Cabernet Franc 4% Petit Verdot
For laying down,
A big rich offering full of blackcurrant, dark plum and intense berry spice. Quite forthright tannins are annexed by weighty fruit depths that open out for a big, quite serious finish. A compelling effort.
Peter Newton, Private Account Manager
50% Cabernet Sauvignon 40% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc 5% Petit Verdot
Peter Newton, Private Account Manager
50% Cabernet Sauvignon 40% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc 5% Petit Verdot
Chateau Talbot,
For laying down,
A very solid performer both in terms of quality and pricing. It is very difficult to find any cheap back vintage of Ch. Talbot and when we do it is always at a higher price that release. The 2014 made under the watchful eyes of the famous consultant Stephane Derenoncourt is a stunner. Blackcurrant and cherries on the nose with a touch of cedar, one of the most focused and fresh wine of the appellation, lovely concentration and depth on the palate, bags of black fruits in the middle and and excellent finish with firm but ripe tannins. Serious and structured it will provide customers with generous fresh early drinking while having all the ingredients for long term cellaring. Definitely one to watch.
Max Lalondrelle, Fine Wine Buying Director/Bordeaux Buyer
Max Lalondrelle, Fine Wine Buying Director/Bordeaux Buyer
For laying down,
Located in the very south of the Pauillac appellation, this property shares a similar climate to that enjoyed by the Médoc: maritime, with the Gironde estuary and the Bay of Biscay combining to act as a climate regulator, while the coastal pine forests shelter the vines from the westerly and north-westerly winds.
This delightfully rewarding wine comes from a classic vintage. Cassis and cherry mix gracefully with smoke, cedar and spice. The tannins are fine-grained but offer a little grip, while the palate is fresh with a smooth, lingering finish. Drink now to 2028.
This delightfully rewarding wine comes from a classic vintage. Cassis and cherry mix gracefully with smoke, cedar and spice. The tannins are fine-grained but offer a little grip, while the palate is fresh with a smooth, lingering finish. Drink now to 2028.
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere,
For laying down,
Bottles of this product are discounted by 10%. Price shown includes saving.
The 2014 Malartic-Lagravière has a crisp and focused bouquet with precise blackberry and briary scents, a lovely undercurrent of mineralité. The palate is beautifully balanced on the entry with rounded, quite concentrated black fruit. There is a lot of extraction here and I fear that they may have found a touch of under-ripe tannin towards the finish, which is a shame because the nose is so damn gorgeous! Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Neal Martin, vinous.com
For laying down,
This Fourth Growth St Julien estate has been performing consistently well for the past several vintages and 2014 is no exception. The nose is pretty, attractively perfumed, fresh and expressive. The palate is dominated by rich, fleshy fruit. There is a purity here, great precision and ripe tannins which grip, and offer an intense focus. High acidity, complexity and a persistence on the finish suggest this wine has excellent potential for aging. Elegant and fine, it is a wine that the château can be proud of. Bravo indeed.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Chateau d'Issan,
For laying down,
Ch. d'Issan has increasingly impressed us over recent years. There is a wonderful explosion of fruit on the nose, with strong, black fruit and soft, creamy notes. The combination of weight and polish is particularly pleasing. There is some grip, crunchy tannins and a feeling of composure on the palate. The nose has excellent intensity. The palate has a real density of fruit and impressive length. The typical cooling freshness of this vintage is apparent on the finish, and the fruit is wonderfully pure, juicy and ripe. This is one of the best wines from the Margaux appellation this year.
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot
For laying down,
This Second Growth has produced a really complex wine in 2014. It is really well-balanced and displays a nice tannic structure. An exuberant and open nose displays juicy red fruits and a racy floral edge. The palate offers good acidity, juicy fruit, and grippy tannins complete the picture. There is decent aging potential here, but it is already showing a depth of flavour and racy freshness at this young age. It is a wine of great potential, with good length, volume of fruit and really considered. The 2014 is an impressive effort.
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
For laying down,
Just below Ch. Margaux and Ch. Palmer in the Margaux pecking order, this historic estate has created a stylish wine in 2014. Darker fruits dominate and the wine expresses a tension which suggests there is more to come in the future. Blackberries and a touch of cassis add real appeal. There is a generous core of velvety fruit and the most appropriate descriptor for the entire tasting experience is ‘charming’. There are creamy notes on the nose, it's really open and expressive. There is a roundness to the fruit too, with an enticing spicy edge on the finish. Good length and attractive, refreshing acidity dances in the mouth.
56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
For laying down,
Ch. Haut-Bailly has a genuine Pessac personality in 2014. Graceful and charming, it also appears to be delicate too, displaying a lightness of touch. There is a welcoming harmony to this wine. It just tastes as red Bordeaux should: attractive, a fleshy fruit nose, with helpings of alluring dark fruits - in particular cherry and plum - and a spicy, lingering finish.
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot
Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion,
For laying down,
Change continues apace at this estate, which has been under new ownership since 2010, with their new cellar and tasting room opening in summer 2015. Displaying a lighter, more ethereal style, the 2014 has notes of menthol, tobacco and sweet blackcurrants, with violets and floral aromatics. Medium-bodied with a dark, plum-like colour, there is some sour cherry in the mix too. Earthy, mineral and with plenty of acidity, the luscious fruit balances out really nicely alongside the savoury edge. Persistent on the finish, spice and green pepper linger on the palate. The wine is quite powerful and serious, with layers of complexity. The 2014 is a very good effort.
55% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
55% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Chateau Pape Clement,
For laying down,
Known to possess one of the best terroirs in Bordeaux, this historic estate has the potential and the capacity to produce first-rate wines. The 2014 is quite refined; there is some elegant charm, and juicy, sweet dark fruit in abundance, with dark cherries and plum in evidence. The mouth-feel is full, and there seems to be power here, but it is kept in check. A silky and suave finish completes the enjoyment.
Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
For laying down,
This property seem to be able to deliver exceptional wines whatever the weather due to arguably one of the best terroir in Bordeaux and a dedicated wine making team who is adverse to trends and do not manufacture their wines. This year is no exception, the nose is intense and layered with cassis and blackberries. Once on the palate the power and drive is instant, covering all parts with meaty, powerful black fruits. The length is firm and focused but the tannins are very ripe. This vintage will open up quite quickly but with such power and balance this is also built for the long term.
Max Lalondrelle, Fine Wine Buying Director
Max Lalondrelle, Fine Wine Buying Director
For laying down,
Attractive aromas of ripe black fruit are immediately evident. Floral notes are joined by hints of cocoa and vanilla. Finesse, delicacy and fine interwoven tannins dominate the palate. There is some balance here, everything knits together tremendously. A tasty freshness emerges on the finish, quite cooling, but really welcome after the multi-layered, fruit-filled palate. Some weight and flesh are emerging, suggesting this will mature nicely in barrel.
54% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc
54% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc
Le Pin,
For laying down,
There is a high quality of fruit here. Floral and expressive on the nose, it is both rich and firm on the palate. Brambly fruit, spice and redcurrants combine to create an intense and brooding wine. It is a dark, deep cherry colour in the glass. This is a wine of generous fruit, neat perfume and rich complexity. A slight earthiness and minerality confirm the wine’s origin; another excellent Pomerol from this vintage.
100% Merlot
100% Merlot
Chateau Lafite Rothschild,
For laying down,
Brilliant deep colour. Dense dark fruit aromas, cassis, incredible concentration. Amazing perfume. So often Lafite is impenetrable from cask. The palate is dense and concentrated but so beautifully balanced. Such fine boned structure, perfectly silky, the purest and most elegant wine of the vintage. The tannins are fine, powdery and beautifully integrated. A long, lifted finish. Oh so Lafite and everything it should be.
Gareth Birchley - Fine Wine Buyer
Gareth Birchley - Fine Wine Buyer
Chateau la Conseillante,
For laying down,
This is fantastic. La Conseillante is known for its elegance and finesse, but this really is something else. Sweet, rich and showing a depth of fruit and layered complexity, it is one of the best wines I tasted during en primeur week. There is a cool, fresh precision to this wine. It is not a big wine, but there is certainly a depth of flavour and richness to the fruit. Perfectly balanced tannins complement the acidity to create a sumptuous mouth-feel. There is lift to the finish too, and the taste buds long for more – the palate tingles. Jean-Michel Laporte and his team should be proud of another delicious wine in 2014, it is almost Burgundy-like.
78% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc
78% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Calon Segur,
For laying down,
Magical aromas of blackberry and blueberry compote with just a hint of mouth-watering vanilla make you want to dive in and embrace this beautiful wine. Packed full of concentrated black cherry and dark fruits of the forest it has a fabulous core that is very hard to top. Beautifully refined tannins coat this liquid centre. Exceptionally long finish that just leaves you gasping for more. Not as serious and St Estèphesque as 2010 but with more charm and opulence this could be their best wine since the brilliant 2005. Delicious.
Simon Staples, Sales Director - Asia
Simon Staples, Sales Director - Asia
Chateau Palmer,
For laying down,
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charles Palmer acquiring the estate, Ch. Palmer have made two outstanding Margaux wines this year and it is the first vintage which has been biodynamically farmed. The Petit Verdot in the blend offers wonderful aromatics and the red fruit is really singing on the nose. This is lush, approachable, intensely juicy and incredibly attractive. Fine, fresh and pure, is has nice crunchy fruit on the finish. This wine is very good indeed. The length is quite astonishing for a second wine; but then this has been honed into the Grand Vin style for many years now and has long been one of the top wines in its class. Oh la la!
52% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot
52% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot
Chateau Palmer,
For laying down,
One of the contestants for wine of the vintage, Palmer is one of the only Chateaux in 2014 to show this incredible level of complexity. Sweet and intense on the nose, vibrant with lots of blueberries and black cherries. Sweet and precise on the palate, with waves of concentrated black fruits. The richness is accompanied by some lovely freshness and the tannins are there to support the wines but they are ripe and supple. The finish is long and complex with some pure focused black fruits. A tour de force in this vintage.
Max Lalondrelle - Fine Wine Buying Director
Max Lalondrelle - Fine Wine Buying Director
Chateau Pichon Lalande,
For laying down,
What a beautiful opening to this, with stunning cassis fruit and just a touch of wood spice that adds complexity. The palate is graceful and fresh, with the cherry fruit emerging again with liquorice and a lovely peppery finish. This is the best Comtesse I have tried for some years and will be an absolute joy to drink in 5-8 years time. I suspect given its fine balance it will drink for 10+ years.
Matthew Tipping - Fine Wine Sales Manager
Matthew Tipping - Fine Wine Sales Manager
Chateau Lynch-Bages,
Ready, but will improve,
One of my favourite Echo de Lynch Bages for many years, this wine is now very much the baby brother of the Grand Vin itself. Twenty-seven percent of the harvest was used to create the wine this year. Well proportioned, fresh, energetic and cooling, it is ripe and opulent in 2014. Soft, succulent, moreish and brimming with dark damson fruit, this is wonderfully quaffable. It is a fine introduction to the wines of the great Ch. Lynch Bages estate and really well proportioned.
73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot
73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot
88/100
Drinking window 2018-2027
Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, 28th October 2016