2014 White Bordeaux

As usual the assemblage of Climens will not be finalised until close to bottling. The 2014 will be almost 100% Grand Vin and was picked between 25th September and 27th October in 6 distinct lots, ranging from 109g/l to 168g/l of residual sugar at a yield of approximately 6.5hl/ha. It is likely that the final blend will weigh in at around 14.5% alc, 146g/l residual sugar, resembling 2001 and 2007 but with better freshness. In general the lots showed the hallmark elegance and balance of Climens, in combination with beautifully rich tropical fruit, spice and a lovely minerality. The structure here crafts a wine that will give pleasure for well over half a century and a finish that goes on and on. An world class sweet wine by Berenice Lurton! Approximately 1,250 cases will be produced.
Gareth Birchley, Fine Wine Buyer (Asia)

Ch. Suduiraut’s 90 hectares of 1er Cru Classé vineyards have produced another fantastic Sauternes in 2014. It emerged as our preferred Sauternes wine, along with Ch. d’Yquem, and possesses all the glorious sweetness of fruit one would expect in this type of wine.

With orange blossom, apricot and peach flavors – and a wonderful honeyed nose - the wine has huge concentration too and a perfect balancing acidity. Classically Suduiraut, with it’s fresh style of citrus and hints of kiwi fruit, it is a wine of great balance and purity. The finish is breathtakingly harmonious, with layers upon layers of complex, seductive flavours. – none of last year’s mangoes this time!

The 2014 d’Yquem displays stunning notes of white peaches and apricots on the nose. On the palate it has delicious honeyed fruit with a wonderful freshness, but also underlying power and intensity maintaining a three-minute finish.
Nick Pegna, Director (South-East Asia)

Tasting En Primeur Barsac is always hugely enjoyable, and in 2014 none more so than Ch. Doisy-Daëne. The nose shows complex, rich yellow stone fruits with a faint but exciting touch of pineapple - pointing to many levels of complexity as this matures. On the palate there is tremendous density of flavour, focus too, with the acidity absolutely spot on. This acidity is well framed in soft, creamy oak which perfectly matches the weight of the fruit. The finish is expansive, with a spicy whip of white pepper and yet more pure fruit.
Gary Owen - Private Account Manager
There was much more depth and concentration on the nose of this wine, than any of the other five major Sauternes and Barsac we tried at a famous Negociant in Bordeaux. Serious and concentrated on the palate too, some exotic notes of preserved pineapple, mouth-filling fruit, balanced by mouth-watering acidity. Very Barsac in its elegance and very enjoyable and complete as a wine.
Chris Pollington – Private Account Manager

This is my favourite white Graves from 2014, as it quite often is. A marker is the terrific harmony and elegance. Displaying white flower notes, honeyed citrus and fig, this is just simply textbook white Bordeaux. There is a purity which other 2014s can't quite match and a full body which carries the high acidity. The acidity is welcome: mouth-wateringly fresh and expressive on the palate. White peach, passion fruit and cream combine to create a wonderful flavour. The finish is long, engaging, satisfying and impressively crisp.

75% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Sémillon

There are lovely aromas of citrus and white fruit on the nose, combined with an over-riding minerality, density and power. This is lovely and precise, floral and verbena-scented on the nose. There are layers and layers of fruit, all tightly packed together. It makes a big impact, but is able to balance everything within its very fine structure. Some grass is evident on the nose and stone-fruit apparent on the palate, while zesty fruit lingers on the finish.

Lemon zest, pear, apple and grapefruit all compete on the nose here, which is enticing and rewarding. White floral aromas emerge too. The palate is a touch more exotic, with grapefruit in the ascendency and just the merest touch of citrus. Baked fruits are really tasty here. The juice is fresh, dry and multi-layered. There is a very pleasing length, completed by mouth-watering acidity. This is one of our favourite whites of the vintage: really classy white Bordeaux.

52% Sauvignon Blanc, 28% Sémillon, 20% Muscadelle