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.

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+)

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.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2014 Haut-Brion is an exceptionally beautiful and vivid wine. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, tobacco and menthol are some of the notes that run through the 2014. Just as it did from barrel, the 2014 boasts tons of opulence, intensity and richness. Dried flowers, tobacco, menthol, licorice and smoke wrap around the huge, baritone-inflected finish. Readers should not be in any rush with the 2014, as it is likely to require a number of years before it even starts to drink well. The blend is 50 % Merlot, 39 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 11 % Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2014 Haut-Brion is an exceptionally beautiful and vivid wine. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, tobacco and menthol are some of the notes that run through the 2014. Just as it did from barrel, the 2014 boasts tons of opulence, intensity and richness. Dried flowers, tobacco, menthol, licorice and smoke wrap around the huge, baritone-inflected finish. Readers should not be in any rush with the 2014, as it is likely to require a number of years before it even starts to drink well. The blend is 50 % Merlot, 39 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 11 % Cabernet Franc.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2014 Haut Brion Blanc has a very pure bouquet with scents of peach skin, Cornice pear and those resinous/candle wax aromas that I remarked upon during en primeur. This has more sophistication than the La Mission Haut Brion Blanc, a little more tension. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky smooth entry, perfect acidity, wonderful tension and energy. Notes of orange pith, a squeeze of lime, flint and smoke are conveyed on the finish that demonstrates outstanding persistence. This is a great Haut Brion Blanc, but it will require a decade in the bottle before it will show what it can really do.

Vinous - Neal Martin (92+)

Tasting, the 2014 Haut Marbuzet has a potent marine influence on the nose, hints of kelp and mudflats infusing the blackberry and bilberry fruit, becoming more brine-like with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with dusty tannin, moderate acidity, finally mustering some fleshiness towards the peppery finish. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2014 Jean Faure is a powerful, authoritative wine. Mocha, savory herbs, mint and spiced notes provide aromatic topnotes. Plump and juicy on the palate, the 2014 has enough fruit and underlying tannin to drink well for at least a handful of years. This is an exotic wine with considerable Cabernet Franc aromatics, and yet it is quite striking.

Vinous - Neal Martin (92)

The 2014 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot picked between September 23 and October 11. It has a much more appealing bouquet than the 2013, offering a mixture of red and black fruit, cedar and smoke; clarity increases with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, showing supple tannin, a fine line of acidity and a well-defined, sensual finish that takes the oak in stride. This is an excellent Cuvée Jean Gautreau that should age with style. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet.