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
Chateau Latour-Martillac,
For laying down,
The 2014 Latour-Martillac has an attractive bouquet with intense blackberry, briary, warm gravel and balsamic notes that are very well defined and evoke Pessac-Léognan through and through. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, ripe tannin. It feels gentle in the mouth, not structured but fleshy and full, fanning out with crushed strawberry, red cherry and white pepper towards the satisfying finish. This is early drinking compared to its peers, yet well crafted. Could it have striven for more? Yes, probably.
Neal Martin - 31/03/2017
Neal Martin - 31/03/2017
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,
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
Neal Martin, vinous.com
For laying down,
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.
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.
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
For laying down,
This wine is elegant, fine, rich, beautifully-textured and bursting with cassis, blackcurrants and intensity. The instant explosion of flavour is utterly compelling here. After several years in barrel this should add in intensity, age gracefully and develop complex, multi-layered fruit. It showcases all the hallmarks of the great Ch. Mouton Rothschild stable and could be punching above its weight this year. It will be a real treat to enjoy in several years’ time.
58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenere
58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenere
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 Pichon Baron,
For laying down,
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
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
Chateau Ausone,
For laying down,
A very good second wine, this is a product of the château’s young vines. Direct, but nice and fresh, it has appealing notes of cherry, and smoky red fruit. Nice and rewarding, it has a surprising minerality and firm, ripe tannins. It is the volume which stands out here, especially after tasting the flight of the Ch. Ausone wines. An excellent effort.
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
Vieux Chateau Certan,
For laying down,
Richly-perfumed, charming and delicious, Vieux Château Certan has been a favourite of mine in previous years and the 2014 is really tasty. Alexandre Thienpont told us that September and October saved the vintage, and we are all thankful for that. Strong acidity provides freshness, complexity and generosity. It is really seamless, gloriously sweet and focused on purity. There is not much weight or power here, but everything is carefully integrated. Clean and precise, it offers excellent length on the finish too. This is quite simply delicious.
80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
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 Margaux,
For laying down,
Tasting wine at Ch. Margaux is one of the greatest parts of our job: it’s a true privilege. This wine has great harmony and persistence in 2014. It has a beautiful elegance, and wears the domination of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend with real harmony. A pure expression of Margaux, there are spicy black fruits on the palate and ripe, red fruits on the nose. Showing real purity, freshness and real polish, elegance and length, it is beautifully layered too. Softly-textured, the spice is really attractive. Just 24 percent of the crop went into Pavillon Rouge in 2014. Concentrated, pure tannins linger on the long and satisfying finish.
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 1% 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 Giscours,
For laying down,
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.
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.
Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
For laying down,
Cherry, vanilla, floral aromas and richness emerge on the palate. There is some concentration here and it is quite pleasingly sweet on the palate. Jean-Hubert Delon has produced another successful second wine this year and it shows all the rich, ripe fruit that is the hallmark of the 2014 vintage. Opulent, sweet redcurrant shows on the mid-palate and there is a nice balance of fruit alongside the structure, good precision and length.
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 Mouton Rothschild,
For laying down,
Dark, dense and brooding in the glass, Le Petit Mouton continues to go from strength to strength. It will be a tremendous bottle of wine to be enjoyed from around 8 years after the vintage. Blackcurrant fruit dominates on the palate that shows excellent concentration and depth, with fresh acidity and firm, yet ripe and well-knit, tannins. Cherry fruit, spice and some lovely graphite characters add complexity on the finish and there is a really nicely-focused linear structure throughout. There is gravitas here, it is so generous, and a long succulent finish lasts for many minutes. This is another step in the right direction for this important second wine which has been improving year on year for several vintages now.
93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot
93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot
88/100
Drinking window 2018-2027
Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, 28th October 2016