Bordeaux. 100 Top Futures. James Suckling. It s amazing to see 2014 added to a range of wonderful vintages for white wines

Transcription

1 100 Top 2014 Bordeaux Futures Although most consumers won t be able to get their hands on any 2014 Bordeaux until early 2017, it s fair to say that people should be hesitantly excited. Despite being no 2009 or 2010, the 2014 vintage in Bordeaux proved highly successful particularly when it came to the Left Bank. I spent close to two weeks in Bordeaux tasting more than 700 wines and visiting almost 50 wine estates, not to mention speaking to dozens of winemakers and wine merchants. The bottom line is that I view 2014 as a split vintage. The Left Bank made truly superb wines while the Right Bank made many very good to outstanding wines The Left Bank made truly superb wines while the Right Bank made many very good to outstanding wines but remained inconsistent. It s almost as if we re talking about two different vintages for each bank. It was the same in 1996 when again the Left Bank was better than the Right Bank, or in 1998 when conversely the Right Bank was better than the Left Bank. In 2014, the Left Bank, particularly the Haut-Médoc appellations of St.-Julien, Pauillac and St.-Estèphe, made terrific wines similar to the excellent 1996s but with modern fruit and precision. These have to be the wines to focus on in 2014 albeit with a few exceptions. In the end, it was the Left Bank that managed to counter the effects of an extremely wet July and August as well as benefit from the long and mostly sunny months of September and October. The Right Bank was uneven in quality except in the case of mostly the top estates on It s amazing to see 2014 added to a range of wonderful vintages for white wines the clay knoll of Pomerol such as Lafleur, Pétrus and Vieux Château Certan, in addition to St.-Émilion s limestone slopes shared by Ausone, Canon and Angélus as well as Trottevielle, Troplong Mondot and L If. Limestone also helped lesser appellations such as Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux with the difficult growing season. The dry and sweet whites were excellent. It s amazing to see 2014 added to a range of wonderful vintages for white wines including 2011, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003 and It s time to rally around the greatness of white Bordeaux that easily rival or better most of the best of Burgundy and there are no problems with oxidation. Please remember that all my ratings are listed as twopoint ranges and are not final scores. They are based on barrel samples furnished by about 700 châteaux, which means they are young, unstable wines and should be viewed only as an indication of final quality. At this point, there s little use in commenting on prices for 2014 or whether consumers should buy en primeur. The market will ultimately decide. Yet it remains important that the top châteaux of Bordeaux remain prudent in their pricing. Increases from 2013 are going to be bad PR. And bad public relations is the last thing Bordeaux needs in the marketplace. James Suckling 32 33

2 CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION BLANC PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 This is breathtaking like looking down a well that doesn t end. Full and rich yet deep and gorgeous. It really does take your breath away. It goes on and on with minerals, dried apples, dried mangos and lime. Superb. Its blend is very unique 68% sémillon with the rest being sauvignon. (98-99 points) CHÂTEAU LATOUR PAUILLAC 2014 Aromas to this are so complex already with blackcurrants, red chilies, stones and iodine. Then it turns to blackcurrants and blueberries. Full-bodied, yet tight and compressed with an extraordinary finish and intensity. This goes on for minutes. Vibrant. A good part of the production is made with biodynamically grown grapes. Alcohol is less than 13%. (98-99 points) CHÂTEAU D YQUEM SAUTERNES 2014 A crazy combination of botrytis, dried fruits and freshness. It s not the sweetest Yquem but it has an extraordinary depth of fruit and freshness. It goes on for minutes. Spicy and intense. A stunning young wine. A brightness and fabulous depth of fruit. (97-98 points) CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD PAUILLAC 2014 I love the sexy, perfumed and feminine style to this young Lafite with rose petals, rose stems and currants. Full body, super-fine tannins and a wonderful finish. Lasts for a very, very long time. (97-98 points) CHÂTEAU LAFLEUR POMEROL 2014 This is very tight and chewy with polished and intense tannins. Fullbodied with blueberries, blackberries, minerals and fine tannins. This is more like Pauillac in character than many top Pauillac estates. Cabernet franc always makes the quality here and it s 56% this year. Rest is merlot. Superb. (97-98 points) CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC SAUTERNES 2014 This has a phenomenal finish. It s dense yet agile with dried tropical fruits and spices. Honey, too. Yet so intense and powerful. It really lasts for minutes. Medium sweet yet so fruity and energetic. This shows how you can have ripeness with fruit and then lots of botrytis. Exciting wine. (97-98 points) CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT SAUTERNES 2014 Best since 2005? It has a unique style of botrytis intensity yet is also fresh, agile and bright. It s full-bodied, delicate and refined. The palate is full of figs, spices, dried mushrooms and earth. It lasts for minutes. It makes you want to drink it now! (97-98 points) PAVILLON BLANC DU CHÂTEAU MARGAUX BORDEAUX 2014 This is yet again a wonderful white with minerals, lemon rind, white pepper and stones. Even chalky. Peach stones, too. Full-bodied yet compacted and tight. Great length. Savory, salty and serious. (97-98 points) CHÂTEAU COS-D ESTOURNEL BORDEAUX BLANC 2014 This is very dense and beautiful with great intensity and length. Loads of sliced pears and apples as well as a creamy texture. Lots of apricots and salty notes. Iodine-like. Goes on for minutes. 66% sauvignon blanc and 24% sémillon. 8,000 bottles made. (96-97 points) CHÂTEAU COS-D ESTOURNEL SAINT-ESTÈPHE 2014 I love the style of this Cos with so much Indian spices constituting the aromas and flavors here. Full body, fine tannins and an ultra-long finish. Excellent structure and length yet this maintains finesse. (96-97 points) CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU SAINT-JULIEN 2014 Stunning aromas of licorice, blackcurrants, minerals, dried rose petals and wet earth. Full body, incredibly intense fruit yet this remains compacted and toned with tannins. Long, long finish. What a wine. (96-97 points) CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE LAS CASES SAINT-JULIEN 2014 The aromas to this wine are enchanting with blackberries, dried flowers, blueberries, citrus and stones. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and bright acidity. Citrus-skin undertones. Very, very long. Structured. This is 13.8% alcohol meaning the cabernet was incredibly ripe for the vintage. Yet it remains agile, structured and bright. (96-97 points) CHÂTEAU MOUTON-ROTHSCHILD PAUILLAC 2014 This is incredibly minerally with a maritime character as well as red iodine, algae, currants and great intensity. Some saltiness. Almost like a pearl in an oyster shell. This is a true wine of the soil for Mouton. Full body, racy tannins and a lingering finish. Excellent. Unique. 81% cabernet sauvignon, 16% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. (96-97 points) 34 35

3 AILE D ARGENT BORDEAUX BLANC 2014 Incredible intensity of sea salt, sliced apple and dried pineapple character. Full and racy with beautiful acidity and a long, long finish. Lots of papaya, pears and pineapple. Racy. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU LYNCH BAGES PAUILLAC 2014 This has fascinating aromas already with blackcurrants and cassis. Hints of spices. It s full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and a long, focused finish. Muscular but toned and beautiful. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU AUSONE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 A juicy red with beautiful blueberry, blackberry and mineral character. Oyster shell and iodine. Full and tight with 60% cabernet franc instead of 50%. This gives a fresher and more linear character for Ausone. Fine finish. Fascinating with such purity. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU CANON SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 A wonderful Canon with fabulous finesse and class. Full-bodied yet refined and polished. It touches your senses. Shows Right Bank made excellent wines in 2014! (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU CHEVAL-BLANC SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 There is a little more cabernet franc than normal. Full body with fine and silky tannins, deep and beautiful fruit and great acid balance. Wet earth, dried flowers and dried fruits. Beautiful length. Dense and compacted. Very fine tannins. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU DOISY-VÉDRINES SAUTERNES 2014 A solid wine with dried fruits, spices, dried mushrooms and medium sweetness. Full-bodied, sweet and intense. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU PÉTRUS POMEROL 2014 There s a density and refinement to the 2014 Pétrus with a dark chocolate, walnut and blueberry character. Violets, too. The length is beautiful with such density and intensity. The tannins arrive at the end. The wine is 14.3% alcohol. They cut back the crop and what they were left with was ripe and clean grapes. This has more texture. Fine and toned tannins. This takes off. Marvelous potential for the vintage. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU PICHON-LONGUEVILLE BARON PAUILLAC 2014 A fabulous young wine with superb depth of fruit and density that shows blueberries, blackberries, oyster shell and stones. Full-bodied, chewy yet with a laser-guided backbone of tannins. Goes on for minutes. Concentrated yet so fine and beautiful. The tannin content analysis is the same as 2009 and 2010 according to the winemakers, but the tannin quality itself is better. Amazing. This could be a remake of the 2010 but fresher. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET PAUILLAC 2014 The strength of this Pontet-Canet is very impressive, making it structured and tannic with a long and intense finish. Yet it turns to bright and vivid fruits. Full body. A modern classic. It builds on the palate. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 Dense and tight now with blackberries, blueberries, iodine, minerals and currants. Full-bodied, firm and closed, yet there s a persistence and length that is most impressive. Polished and very classy. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU SMITH-HAUT-LAFITTE PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 This is a very muscular style of Smith Haut Lafitte with great bioprecision that equates to intense flavors and textures. Minerals, stones, blueberries and wet earth. Long, persistent and solid. A classic Bordeaux style yet rich and exact. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT-BRION BLANC PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 This is a big and powerful white with so much richness and excitement. It s almost New World in character. Full-bodied, layered and juicy. Characters of dried pineapples, apples, apricots, lemons and then a touch of stones. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU SMITH-HAUT-LAFITTE PESSAC-LÉOGNAN WHITE 2014 This is a phenomenal young white with wonderful depth and finesse. Amazing aromas and flavors of lavender, lemon peel, sliced apples, lilacs and minerals. Full body, intense fruit and a long, long finish. Superb depth and intensity. (95-96 points) 36 37

4 CHÂTEAU TROTANOY POMEROL 2014 This is extremely long and concentrated with incredible depth of fruit and structure. Long and chewy. Shows excellent potential. (95-96 points) CLOS HAUT-PEYRAGUEY SAUTERNES 2014 This is really dense and powerful with loads of dried botrytis fruits and flavors. Full body, medium sweetness and a long finish. Impressive. (95-96 points) DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER PESSAC-LÉOGNAN WHITE 2014 A solid and muscular Domaine de Chevalier with layers of fruit. Very dense and loads of flavor. Full body, bright acidity and a long, long finish. Tangy acidity. It lasts for minutes. (95-96 points) LA CLARTE DE HAUT-BRION PESSAC-LÉOGNAN WHITE 2014 Shows excellent depth and richness with sliced apple, apricot and pineapple character. Big and rich. Excellent. This is pretty amazing. 66% sauvignon blanc and 33% sémillon. (95-96 points) VIEUX-CHÂTEAU-CERTAN POMEROL 2014 There s a purity of fruit to this wine that shows the soil and its uniqueness with wet earth, tobacco, mushrooms and red fruits. Full and silky with fine tannins and a fresh finish. The 20% cabernet franc makes this wine great. It s like a wonderfully cut ruby. (95-96 points) CHÂTEAU FIGEAC SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 A beautiful Figeac with stones, oyster shells, chalk and fruits. Full-bodied and compacted with ultra-fine tannins. This is compressed and shows a wonderful style. The 32% cabernet sauvignon should give a unique structure here. More structured than the (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU L ÉGLISE CLINET POMEROL 2014 A wonderful wine showing dense and intense fruit as well as chewy tannins. Full-bodied with coffee, chocolate, almond and walnut flavors. Layered. Magic winemaker of Pomerol. (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU LA CONSEILLANTE POMEROL 2014 Wow. This really kicks in here with lots of subtle yet fresh fruit and a chewy and long finish. Muscular and long with a wonderful elegance. The winemaker says the cabernet franc gives the style and structure here. And he s right. (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT-BRION PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 Chewy and rich with blueberry, stone and mineral character. Full body, silky and intense tannins and a mineral and berry aftertaste. (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU MARGAUX MARGAUX 2014 This is a very, very muscular and toned Margaux with currants, firm tannins and stones. Full and chewy yet polished and intense. Bright acidity yet a strong and flexed style. (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU MONTROSE SAINT-ESTÈPHE 2014 This is a fabulous young red with blackberries, currants and wet earth. Full body, firm tannins and a very long finish. It really takes off. (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU PALMER MARGAUX 2014 This has a fabulous depth of fruit of dark berries, currants and blueberries as well as hints of licorice and spices. Full-bodied, chewy and rich with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. The tannin backbone comes through at the end, giving the wine tension and freshness. (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU QUINTUS SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 There s a wonderful balance and finesse to this wine. Full and refined with dark berries, wet earth and stones. Extremely long and lively. Muscular. (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU RAUZAN-SÉGLA MARGAUX 2014 A powerful and dense Rauzan with firm and chewy tannins that are polished and direct. Full body, yet the acid and tannin tension gives the wine impressive length. Will develop wonderfully. (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU ROCHEYRON SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 This is the best wine from this estate and it really shows greatness. Fullbodied and chewy. It builds on the palate with salt, berry and currant character. Incredible mineral, earth and berry character. This is from the owners of Pingus in Spain and Péby Faugères in St. Emilion. (94-95 points) 38 39

5 CHÂTEAU TALBOT SAINT-JULIEN 2014 This is really powerful with excellent depth of fruit and richness. Spices, blueberries and lightly toasted oak now. But it shows really serious structure. Best Talbot in years, maybe decades. (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 This is really excellent this year. There s a wonderful purity and length to the wine. Full body, super-fine tannins and a very long finish. CHÂTEAU TROTTEVIEILLE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 Amazing Trottevieille with minerals, blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Full body, firm and racy tannins and a long, intense finish. This is sexy and structured. The little bit more cabernet franc is really exciting it s 58% instead of 50%. (94-95 points) L IF SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 A full-bodied wine but showing so much in finesse and beauty. It slowly builds on the palate to give a crescendo of subtle fruit and fine tannins. Subtle undertones of oyster shell and iodine. Unique. This is only 9% cabernet franc. Rest is merlot. (94-95 points) LA MONDOTTE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 A beautiful wine with a creamy, silky and delicately fruity character leading to a savory and citrusy finish. Full-bodied yet balanced and refined. (94-95 points) CHÂTEAU ANGÉLUS SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 This is dense and compacted with pretty fruits, ultra-fine tannins and a pure and intense finish. The excellent quality of the cabernet franc really shows here. Lightly salty with citrusy acidity. Chalky undertones. Half cabernet franc and half merlot. So about 10% more franc than normal. CHÂTEAU BEAUSÉJOUR DUFFAU-LAGAROSSE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 A wonderful finish to this wine with a full body. Compacted and tight with beautiful ripe fruit and mineral undertones. Some walnut character, too. CHÂTEAU BÉLAIR-MONANGE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 Lots of mineral, chalk and salt character with dark fruits. Full and powerful with firm tannins and a long finish. Compacted and tight with wonderful density and intensity. CHÂTEAU BEYCHEVELLE SAINT-JULIEN 2014 A firm and austere young red now but there s serious fruit and mineral character underneath. Full body, chewy tannins and a long finish. CHÂTEAU CALON-SÉGUR SAINT-ESTÈPHE 2014 This has a wonderful density and a velvety texture with so much fruit and richness. Full body, fine tannins and wonderful length. Gorgeous. CHÂTEAU CANON-LA GAFFELIÈRE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 A beautiful and succulent red with blueberries, violets and berries. Full-bodied, long and intense. Extremely integrated. Made from organic grapes. 55% merlot, 36% cabernet franc and 8% cabernet sauvignon. CHÂTEAU CANTEMERLE MÉDOC 2014 This is a knockout. Excellent concentration of fruit and firm tannins. Very, very long. Fruity and intense. Same quality or better than Impressive. CHÂTEAU CERTAN DE MAY POMEROL 2014 This is very long with chewy tannins and lots of fruit. Full and juicy with wonderful length. Lasts a long time. Best in years from here. CHÂTEAU D ARMAILHAC PAUILLAC 2014 Very minerally, silky and refined with a full body, firm tannins, currants, stones and citrus. Racy and fine. This has a little more merlot in the blend but is mostly cabernet sauvignon, as always. One of the best Armailhacs in a long time

6 CHÂTEAU GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE PAUILLAC 2014 This is a wine with a dense center, wonderful fruit, polished and refined tannins and a persistent finish. Full-bodied, long and intense. Beautiful pure cabernet character. Real wine. 82% cabernet sauvignon and 18% merlot. Higher percentage of cabernet than normal. CHÂTEAU GRUAUD-LAROSE SAINT-JULIEN 2014 This is tight and compacted with beautiful fruit on the center palate. Full body, velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very intense. CHÂTEAU HAUT-BAILLY PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 A subtle and refined wine with savory, salty and delicately fruity character. Full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Compacted and tight. Lovely tension. Precise. CHÂTEAU LA FLEUR-PÉTRUS POMEROL 2014 This comes out at the finish with dark berry, cherry and mineral character. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Solid and structured. Shows potential. CHÂTEAU LA GAFFELIÈRE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 This is really complex and minerally with so much going on. Full, tight and precise. One of the best ever from here. All the hard work in reorganizing the vineyard is paying off. CHÂTEAU LA GRAVE TRIGANT DE BOISSET POMEROL 2014 A full-bodied wine with firm tannins and lots of dark cherry and berry character. Solid core of fruit with a silky finish. Very fine. CHÂTEAU LAFAURIE-PEYRAGUEY SAUTERNES 2014 This is a refined and pretty wine with white peach, spice and honey character. Full-bodied, medium sweet yet refined and pretty. Harmonious. It takes off with the spice character at the end. CHÂTEAU LARCIS-DUCASSE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 This has a dark-fruit, blueberry, limestone and mineral character. Raisin skins. Full body, firm tannins and a firm and long finish. Tannic and lively. CHÂTEAU LE PIN POMEROL 2014 Very subtle and refined with an ethereal fruit character. Medium body, integrated tannins and a delicate fruit, mineral and fresh-herb aftertaste. A gorgeous pure merlot. CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE POYFERRÉ SAINT-JULIEN 2014 Very fine and pretty with blueberry, mineral and hazelnut character. Full body, succulent fruit and tannins, as well as a long finish. Savory. Very polished as always. CHÂTEAU MALARTIC-LAGRAVIÈRE PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 This already shows beautiful aromas of blackberries, wet earth, stones and spices. Full-bodied yet polished and refined with a lovely fine tannin texture. Shows wonderful finesse. CHÂTEAU MALESCOT-ST.-EXUPÉRY MARGAUX 2014 Very sexy and refined with blackberries and blueberries. Full-bodied with ultra-fine and integrated tannins. CHÂTEAU PAPE CLÉMENT PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 This shows the finesse and class of the vintage with pure blackberry and currant character. Full body, fine tannins and a beautiful finish. CHÂTEAU PAPE CLÉMENT PESSAC-LÉOGNAN WHITE 2014 This is layered and substantial as it should be with dried honey and apple character. Full and intense with layers of fruit. This is a serious white. CHÂTEAU PAVIE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 A firm and juicy wine with very pretty dark fruit, mineral and floral character. Full body, round tannins and a fresh finish. CHÂTEAU PÉBY-FAUGÈRES SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 This is layered and wonderfully balanced with dark fruit and berry character. Hints of spices. Wonderful structure and length. Sexy

7 CHÂTEAU PICHON-LONGUEVILLE-LALANDE PAUILLAC 2014 What a joy to feel the ultra-fine tannins to this wine! It really is like touching fine silk. It s full-bodied with integrated fruit, tar, blackberries, minerals as well as a compacted and very long finish. Polished texture. Strong elegance. Reminds me of some outstanding wines of the 1980s such as CHÂTEAU TOUR SAINT CHRISTOPHE SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 This is a stunning barrel sample with oyster shells, blackberries, chalk and blueberries. Full body, great density of fruit and power. Best yet? CHÂTEAU TROPLONG-MONDOT SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 This is a big and juicy Troplong. Full-bodied, chewy and rich with freshly sliced plum, chocolate and berry character. Long finish. CLOS DE LUNES BORDEAUX BLANC LUNE D OR 2014 This is dense and intense with crème brûlée, baked apple and lemon character. Full-bodied with a long and honeyed finish. Complex and stylish. LES CHAMPS LIBRES BORDEAUX BLANC 2014 Dense and beautiful with a phenolic character. Full body, fresh acidity and a long finish. A muscular and rich wine. This is more austere than the 2012, which was really excellent. LES FORTS DE LATOUR PAUILLAC 2014 This is very Latour in style. It is structured, muscular and not easy yet it s still approachable. Full body, chewy and polished tannins and a long and intense finish. Impressive. BLANC DE LYNCH-BAGES BORDEAUX BLANC 2014 Dense and tangy with dried pineapple, lemon rind and hints of stone. Full-bodied, flavorful and bright. CARRUADES DE LAFITE ROTHSCHILD PAUILLAC 2014 Gorgeous aromas of blackcurrants, berries, blueberries and licorice. Minerals, too. Full, dense and tight. Wonderfully racy finish. Mineral, iodine and oyster shell undertones. Second wine of Lafite. We really wanted to make an excellent Carraudes, says the winemaker Charles Chevallier. They did. DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 Very dense and beautiful with chocolate, currants and spices. Walnut and hazelnut character, too. Full body, silky tannins and a long finish. Balanced and fine. CHÂTEAU BARDE-HAUT SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 This is very dense and intense with lots of extracted fruit that gives a licorice and mineral character. Looking forward to seeing how it evolves in barrel. LA CHAPELLE DE LA MISSION-HAUT-BRION PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 A wine with dark berry and currant character that is juicy and rich. Fullbodied, round, velvety and savory. Second wine of La Mission. LE CLARENCE DE HAUT-BRION PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2014 Gorgeous second wine for Haut-Brion with firm and savory tannins. Full, refined and layered with meat, tobacco, dark fruit and earth. Serious. LE PETIT MOUTON DE MOUTON-ROTHSCHILD PAUILLAC 2014 This is so typical of cabernet. Wow. Full body, round and velvety tannins and lots of earthy, spicy and berry character. Juicy and long. Gorgeous. 93% cabernet sauvignon and the rest is merlot. Not really a second wine of Mouton. Excellent. CHÂTEAU BATAILLEY PAUILLAC 2014 A big and juicy red with blueberry, cassis and chocolate character. Full and velvety with lovely purity. Wonderful ripeness of tannins. Cabernet sauvignon here. CHÂTEAU BOUSCAUT PESSAC-LÉOGNAN WHITE 2014 So much mineral and stone character to this baby white with plenty of sliced lemon and green apple character. Full and long. CHÂTEAU BRANAIRE-DUCRU ST.-JULIEN 2014 This really builds on the palate with round and velvety tannins and a juicy, savory finish. Layered and complex. Shows real potential

8 CHÂTEAU BRANE-CANTENAC MARGAUX 2014 A solid core of fruit here with lots of cabernet character, as well as currants and blueberries. Full to medium body. Chewy tannins that are nevertheless polished and refined. CHÂTEAU PALMER MARGAUX ALTER EGO 2014 Vibrant and fruity with currant, blueberry and spice character. Full yet tight with tension and brightness. Very velvety tannins. Sexy already. CHÂTEAU D ISSAN MARGAUX 2014 A dense and tight wine with cedar, berry, light chocolate and nut character. Full body, a compacted center palate and muscular tannins. CHÂTEAU PAVIE-MACQUIN SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 A juicy and pretty PM with chocolate, walnuts and dark fruit. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a long and beautiful finish. Very tight and polished. CHÂTEAU DU TERTRE MARGAUX 2014 A fantastic Tertre. One of the best in years with so much dark fruit, earth and light meat character. Decadent yet classy. Full body, polished tannins and a long finish. CHÂTEAU GISCOURS MARGAUX 2014 Very pretty cabernet sauvignon character. Full body, fine tannins and a bright finish. Ultra-fine tannins. Tight and caressing. Refined. There is a little more cabernet in the blend that gives detail and direction. CHÂTEAU GLORIA SAINT-JULIEN 2014 This is the best Gloria in years with amazing dark blackberries, minerals, rose petals and spices. Full body, firm tannins and a very long finish. Seamless. CHÂTEAU PETIT-VILLAGE POMEROL 2014 A round and silky red with iron, clay and spice character. Full body and a long, savory finish. Plenty of things going on here. CHÂTEAU PRIEURÉ-LICHINE MARGAUX 2014 Beautiful concentration and depth to this red with blueberry, blackberry and licorice character. Full and structured with strength and finesse. CHÂTEAU VALANDRAUD SAINT-ÉMILION 2014 A rich wine with fine tannins and fruits. Full body, a very polished texture and wonderful length. There s an attractive mineral and fresh tobacco character to the wine. CHÂTEAU HOSANNA POMEROL 2014 Focused and tight with chewy tannins and lots of blueberry, blackberry and wet earth character. Full body and lightly chewy tannins. CHÂTEAU LATOUR À POMEROL POMEROL 2014 Plenty of fruit to this subtle young wine with blackberry, cherry and wet earth character. Full-bodied, chewy and long. Lively acidity on the finish. CHÂTEAU MALARTIC-LAGRAVIÈRE PESSAC-LÉOGNAN WHITE Beautiful intensity of sliced limes, slates, stones and citrus. This is a serious white as always