I’ve just uploaded all my tasting notes from the recent showing of the 2014 vintage from Bordeaux. It might not go down in history as a legendary vintage – unlike 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005 etc – but there are plenty of charming wines from both the Left and the Right Banks that I’d like to have in my cellar – and generally at a significantly lower price point than the 2015 vintage. Admittedly there are plenty of meh wines but in some instances, I favour some estates’ 2014 wines over their 2015s because they are less ostentatious.
If you’re not looking for an investment wine but want a wine that will be superb to drink (yes, wines are for drinking people!) now and in the future, then here are five* wines I’d heartily recommend. If you want to read the fantastic full tasting note, you can click on the links provided.
Château Léoville Barton – if wines can be pretty, then this is it. You can pick up a bottle for about £50 (all prices quote are In Bond – i.e you need to add duty at just over £2 a bottle and VAT)
Château Pichon Baron – Pure and intense. Around £70 a bottle vs. £101 for the 2015.
Château Figeac – a sexy beast from St-Emilion that’s around £70 a bottle whereas you’re looking at a price tag of around £120 for the 2015.
Château Clinet – an elegant understated beauty from Pomerol that’s priced around the same as the Léoville.
Château La Conseillante – rich and gratifying; I’m starting to develop a bit of a thing for this Pomerol estate, which could break the bank. However like the Figeac you’re looking at 2/3 the price of the 2015 (about 70 quid), which is rather tempting, when I only scored the 2015 one more point – how much is a point worth?
*There were some notable châteaux absent from the tasting, including the five first growths, and my selection has been made from the 116 in attendance. Visit ugcb.net for more information.
