Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

Catherine Papon-Nouvel's 2014 Clos Saint Julien is a deep, richly textured wine from Saint-Émilion's plateau. Super-ripe black cherry, smoke, licorice, menthol, chocolate and torrefaction notes build as the 2014 opens up in the glass. Seamless and full-throttle to the core, the Saint Julien possesses tremendous midpalate intensity and richness. Even so, there is plenty of supporting minerality to back things up. Stylistically, the Clos Saint Julien is quite a bit riper and more overt in feel than the Cabernet Franc-dominated Petit Gravet Ainé. The blend is 60 % Merlot and 40 % Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

Catherine Papon-Nouvel's 2014 Clos Saint Julien is a deep, richly textured wine from Saint-Émilion's plateau. Super-ripe black cherry, smoke, licorice, menthol, chocolate and torrefaction notes build as the 2014 opens up in the glass. Seamless and full-throttle to the core, the Saint Julien possesses tremendous midpalate intensity and richness. Even so, there is plenty of supporting minerality to back things up. Stylistically, the Clos Saint Julien is quite a bit riper and more overt in feel than the Cabernet Franc-dominated Petit Gravet Ainé. The blend is 60 % Merlot and 40 % Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90+)

The 2014 Clos Saint Martin has a reduced nose that is difficult to shake from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a light touch of spice, harmonious if just missing a little complexity towards the finish. It actually improves with aeration and I will give this the benefit of the doubt. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

James Suckling (98)

If you want to know what St.-Estèphe smells like, this is it. Aromas of spices, black truffles, forest floor, dried strawberries and tar. It’s full-bodied yet pinpointed on the palate with fabulous density and richness. It’s opulent but in a reserved and checked way. This needs at least five or six years to come around, but it’s already fantastic. What harmony and structure. Try in 2022 if you can keep your hands off it!

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2014 Cos-Labory has a slightly pinched bouquet at first, gradually opening with blackberry and briary scents, just a touch of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, sappy black fruit laced with graphite and black pepper, quite harmonious with a crisp and poised, satisfying finish. Excellent, traditional Saint Estèphe and perhaps one of the best Cos-Labory I have tasted thus far. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2014 d'Armailhac is bright, precise and finely sculpted. Expressive red stone fruit, flowers, mint, chalk and citrus abound in this vibrant, beautifully delineated Pauillac. Open-knit and expressive, with good depth and silky tannins, the wine exudes class. The fresh, invigorating style is classic 2014. This is a lovely showing. Tasted two times.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2014 d'Armailhac is bright, precise and finely sculpted. Expressive red stone fruit, flowers, mint, chalk and citrus abound in this vibrant, beautifully delineated Pauillac. Open-knit and expressive, with good depth and silky tannins, the wine exudes class. The fresh, invigorating style is classic 2014. This is a lovely showing. Tasted two times.

Vinous - Neal Martin (97)

The 2014 d'Yquem has a complex bouquet with buttered toast, almond, honey and peach skin aromas. It opens with greater zeal than its peers, there is more immediacy here. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, a finely tuned and satisfying Sauternes with style and grace, evincing great tension and mineral drive towards the finish. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous - Neal Martin (97)

The 2014 d'Yquem has a complex bouquet with buttered toast, almond, honey and peach skin aromas. It opens with greater zeal than its peers, there is more immediacy here. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, a finely tuned and satisfying Sauternes with style and grace, evincing great tension and mineral drive towards the finish. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92+)

A gorgeous second wine, the 2014 La Dame de Montrose is soft, open-knit and very pretty. Bright floral notes add lift and a measure of elegance to the dark-fleshed fruit. Medium in body, with good depth and fine overall balance, the 2014 is just about as good as it gets for a second wine. I won't be surprised if it is still delicious at age 20, although I think its best drinking will take place earlier than that.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92+)

A gorgeous second wine, the 2014 La Dame de Montrose is soft, open-knit and very pretty. Bright floral notes add lift and a measure of elegance to the dark-fleshed fruit. Medium in body, with good depth and fine overall balance, the 2014 is just about as good as it gets for a second wine. I won't be surprised if it is still delicious at age 20, although I think its best drinking will take place earlier than that.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2014 Dassault is bold, fruit-driven and absolutely delicious, although the firm tannins are going to need some time to soften. Plum, violet, licorice and lavender are some of the signatures in this inky, extroverted Saint-Émilion. In 2014, Dassault is a sleeper. Tasted two times.

The Wine Cellar Insider (89)

Ripe dark red fruits, olive tapenade, spice and earth in character, the wine delivers from start to finish. 87-89 Pts

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2014 Domaine de Chevalier is a total knockout. Precise, brilliant and finely sculpted, the 2014 possesses superb intensity. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet red berries, along with finessed but persistent tannins, give the wine its regal personality. The 2014 needs a number of years to shed some baby fat and develop the full breadth of its aromatics, but it is a fabulous wine by any measure. The 2014 is 65 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot and 5 % Petit Verdot that spent approximately 35 days on the skins. Olivier Bernard noted that the Merlots were brought in between October 10 and 17, which is quite late by the domaine's standards. Tasted two times.

James Suckling (99)

Fabulous aromas of crushed berries such as blackberries and blackcurrants, not to mention spices. Wet earth and cedar, too. Complex. Full-bodied, yet agile and complete. A dense center palate. Ultra-round tannins. Everything in the right balance. Wonderful to taste but better to drink in 2022.

Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2014 Duhart-Milon is a wine that performs shockingly well, far better than I would have expected given its showing just after bottling. Here, it has a detailed, focused bouquet with graphite infused black fruit, smoke and cedar aromas. Quintessential Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit attired with a subtle marine influence, seaweed and oyster shell. I admire the crescendo of this Pauillac, the manner in which it builds in concentration with a precise and quite powerful finish, without losing any of its precision. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

James Suckling (94)

Incredible aromas of blackberries, blueberries, minerals and stone. Wow. Full-bodied, silky and firm. So polished. Sexy.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2014 Figeac is shaping up to be a real jewel of a wine. Powerful and structured, with plenty of tannic spine, the 2014 won't start hitting its stride for at least a few years. Even today, though, it is impressive for its energy and overall intensity. Plum, smoke, spice, graphite and leather build into the huge, expressive finish. Figeac is one of the stars of the vintage. There is real density and gravitas here, not to mention considerable personality.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2014 Figeac is shaping up to be a real jewel of a wine. Powerful and structured, with plenty of tannic spine, the 2014 won't start hitting its stride for at least a few years. Even today, though, it is impressive for its energy and overall intensity. Plum, smoke, spice, graphite and leather build into the huge, expressive finish. Figeac is one of the stars of the vintage. There is real density and gravitas here, not to mention considerable personality.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2014 Fombrauge is dark, sensual and inviting. Plum, black cherry, smoke, tobacco and cedar are some of the many notes that flesh out in the glass. Sumptuous and racy, the 2014 exudes finesse and nuance, but with plenty of the Magrez signature richness. Stylistically, the Fombrauge is a bit more finessed than the Magrez-Fombrauge, which is not a bad thing, as these wines are born with so much natural richness. Tasted three times.

Embark on a luxury tasting journey with the exquisite Gombaude-Guillot Pomerol 2014. This opulent red blend, expertly crafted by the famed producer Gombaude-Guillot, is synonymous with the richness and complexity of the prestigious Pomerol region of Bordeaux, France. Carefully vinified with the utmost precision, this fine wine showcases traditional French winemaking at its absolute peak.

Abound in a fascinating blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the Gombaude-Guillot Pomerol 2014 tantalisingly unfolds with intense dark fruits and spicy notes. On the palate, a robust structure of velvety tannins is meticulously balanced with a vibrant acidity and a long, resonating finish.

This wine reflects the producer’s devotion to sustainable viticulture and respect for terroir, making Gombaude-Guillot a beacon of organic wine production in Bordeaux. The Gombaude-Guillot Pomerol 2014 is a shining testament to their unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity in every drop.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2014 Gracia is racy and exuberant from the outset. Crème de cassis, espresso, violet, mint and sweet spice notes all meld together. Sumptuous, plush and inviting, the Gracia shows the more opulent side of Saint-Émilion. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. The 2014 has turned out beautifully. I would prefer to drink it over the next decade or so. The blend is 70 % Merlot, 25 % Cabernet Franc and 5 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted two times.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92+)

Dark cherry, plum, lavender and violet are some of the notes that open up in the 2014 Grand Corbin Despagne. Medium in body, with a classic sense of structure and plenty of tannin, the 2014 is built for cellaring. It shows quite a bit more overall intensity today than it did as a barrel sample, which is quite positive for its long-term prospects.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92+)

Dark cherry, plum, lavender and violet are some of the notes that open up in the 2014 Grand Corbin Despagne. Medium in body, with a classic sense of structure and plenty of tannin, the 2014 is built for cellaring. It shows quite a bit more overall intensity today than it did as a barrel sample, which is quite positive for its long-term prospects.

The Wine Cellar Insider (92)

A smoky mix of cedar, licorice and cassis start off the nose of this wine which is medium to full-bodied shows gentle, refined tannins and a freshness in the fruity, open finish. 91-92 Pts

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2014 Grand-Puy Lacoste has a bouquet with blackberry, boysenberry, mint and graphite, well defined and focused. It does not have to try too hard to give so much pleasure. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very crisp acidity, beautifully proportioned with a veneer of top quality new oak that will need three or four years to be fully subsumed. But the purity and elegance of this Pauillac cannot be denied – a quite brilliant contribution to the 2014 vintage. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2014 Grand-Puy Lacoste has a bouquet with blackberry, boysenberry, mint and graphite, well defined and focused. It does not have to try too hard to give so much pleasure. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very crisp acidity, beautifully proportioned with a veneer of top quality new oak that will need three or four years to be fully subsumed. But the purity and elegance of this Pauillac cannot be denied – a quite brilliant contribution to the 2014 vintage. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2014 Haut-Bailly has turned out beautifully. Dark, sumptuous and expressive, the 2014 exudes depth and finesse. Ample and resonant on the palate, with striking depth, the 2014 possesses exceptional balance and class. Hints of smoke, tobacco and licorice infuse the deep, creamy finish.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2014 Haut-Bailly has turned out beautifully. Dark, sumptuous and expressive, the 2014 exudes depth and finesse. Ample and resonant on the palate, with striking depth, the 2014 possesses exceptional balance and class. Hints of smoke, tobacco and licorice infuse the deep, creamy finish.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2014 La Parde de Haut-Bailly is a generous, juicy wine. Red cherry, plum, spice and herbal notes all flesh out in the glass. Succulent and inviting, the 2014 is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Silky tannins add to the wine's finesse and sheer appeal.