2014 Red Bordeaux

2014 Ch. Villa Bel-Air is a benchmark Graves. Owned by the Cazes family, who also produce the wonderful Ch. Lynch-Bages, this super Claret is always a favourite with our team. The nose is dominated by lovely, vibrant red fruits – all courtesy of 50% Merlot in the blend – and generous, earthy, savoury notes which are a hallmark of the wine’s appellation. Approachable even now at this very early stage, there is an abundance of tasty bright, red and fresh fruit on the palate. Strawberries linger on the mid-palate and combine expertly with notes of graphite and a rich, softness on the finish. There is a coolness here and touch of spice too which coat the mouth. It is a triumph, truly excellent value and the first wine from the 2014 vintages which we are very happy to recommend. 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc.

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

Ch. Haut-Batailley has a genuine Pauillac 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, fleshy fruit nose, helpings of alluring dark fruits - in particular cherry and plum - and a spicy, lingering finish.

A beautiful savoury nose that's rich and enticing. Black fruit dominance which is slightly different to other years. Not better or worse because of it but different and still moreish and will offer relatively early access to its undoubted charms. Will be a bargain too. Come one. Come all.
Simon Staples, Sales Director - Asia

The rejuvenated Ch. du Tertre is steadily building a reputation for excellent value for money. The 2014 has a lovely expressive nose, with sweet red fruits combining effortlessly with aromas of floral cassis and dried fruit. There are generous helpings of blackberries and cream on the palate which sit wonderfully alongside the elegant Margaux femininity. Fine tannins, crunchy black fruit and excellent length. The Cabernet Franc provides a really strong backbone and the Cabernet Sauvignon a structure and texture, which is typical of this commune. There is a lovely peppery focus here, courtesy of the Cabernet Franc. Focused and direct, it is a real pleasure to taste this wine, even at such an early stage, straight from barrel. It's one of the best du Tertre wines we have tasted in many years.

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

Giscours was one of my favourite wines of the week. It is multi-layered with an ultra-fine tannic structure that makes you really fancy drinking it now! It has a great, juicy density that's completely compelling. Not as complex as 2010 but definitely up there with the 2009 Giscours. A favourable euro rate, a bountiful crop and a savvy head honcho at the Château will see this coming in at a great price and early release. No pressure there then.
Simon Staples, Sales Director - Asia

Round and seductive, Ch. Giscours is brimming with dark fruit this year, showing an inky colour. It is neatly packed with dense fruit, with good concentration and luscious tannins. Black fruit dominates the nose and palate. There is an elegance here, alongside a structure which demonstrates the super terroir of this property and indeed the appellation. Cool, refreshing acidity appears on the finish and textured tannins complete a really attractive mouth-feel. A broad, fleshy fruit profile really appeals.

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

The yield was 40 hectolitres per hectare this year: that doesn't represent a great yield, but it is much better than recent years, in particular 2013. I always buy this wine for my own cellar and will be doing so again. Soft and really approachable, this is a gentle wine. Shy, but pretty on the nose, it is decadent and could be enjoyed very early; but that's not to say it won't age well, all the component parts are singing in harmony: ripe, fleshy fruit, freshness, attractive acidity and silky, fine tannins. The finish is soft too. This is so silky and enjoyable, even when tasting a barrel sample.

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot

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

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

The 2014 Smith Haut-Lafitte has a much simpler bouquet than the 2014 Pape-Clément, with scents of pencil lead and cooked meat infusing the black fruit. The palate is well balanced with slightly firm tannin, moderate levels of acidity that segues to a very peppery and vivacious finish. This is a sophisticated and classy Pessac-Léognan, though I wonder if it is starting to close down? Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Neal Martin, vinous.com

For many years now and since the turn of the 21st century, Ch. Pichon-Longueville Baron has been performing exceptionally well, in both the challenging and more favourable vintages. Their best Merlot plots are located next to Ch. Latour, and although this provides just 20 percent of the blend this year, it contributes a lot to the whole – providing dignified elegance and the cooling freshness we are finding in the top performers of 2014. There is a layered complexity here, fine, grainy tannins and generosity of fruit. A creamy texture fills the finish, enhanced by a prolonged, lingering, spicy undercurrent. It is a very good result.

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot

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

There is real energy on the nose of the Grand Vin. Sweet, succulent and beautifully-perfumed with floral aromas and a touch of vanilla-spice. There is focus here, but a rewarding elegance too, even at this young age. Like La Conseillante and Ch. Figeac, this great estate has used its famous terroir to create a special wine in 2014. Light, silky, yet generous and lifting on the finish, it is a splendid result this year. Minerality follows on the lingering finish, with carefully- and well-managed tannins rounding things off. This is really good St Emilion.