I distinctly remember this snafu, but didn’t know it was published as if it was another day in the office.
Not sure you are missing critics adjusting scores after the event. Its fairly blatant.
Indeed, I bolded for a reason
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Continuing a dive into my mid range 2014 Bordeaux, Château Poujeaux, purchased in 2017 for £24.
Decanted just before tasting.
Pale side of medium garnet. Nose is tobacco supported by red cherry. In the mouth it is cherry then tobacco; acidity and tannin are gentle; this comes across as fairly light, elegant but persistent. A pleasure in the traditional Bordeaux mold, 92 or ****, very pleased to have another half a dozen.
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Maybe it’s the lighting but the colour seems more advanced that 10 year old Moulis ought to be? I love the visual of the robe in front of the note though!
Same. Really cool pics — keep 'em coming!
Yep, it was paler and more mature looking than other recent 2014s. I always look at wines against a white paper background it makes comparisons easy, but lighting is awkward when trying to get photos without glare.
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Planning to open a Kirwan in a few days, if I do–and if I remember to cross-post—I’ll post the note on this thread
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First of a case of 2014 Sociando-Mallet. Opened 2+ hours ahead, decanted one hour. Blackberry, leather and a touch of graphite on the nose. Medium bodied, good focus, balance of acid and tannin. Pure black fruits and just a touch of Sociando green pepper. Nice finish but some tannins creep in on the back end. Approachable now but still room to improve. Solid 91 points
I also drank through several of the 2014 Barde-Haut but was not impressed.
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Did you?
2014 Meyney, one that seems to split the judges.
On first opening and decanting this is a rich red, just hinting at maturity.
Nose of cherry, seems glossy with a touch of perfume. Something floral.
Sweet fruit on entry but dry tannins lurking just behind. It went well with food, but needs keeping before drinking on its own, perhaps in a couple of years.
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I tried the 2014 La Renaissance [Pomerol] over a couple of nights, which was a wine I had purchased at auction years ago solely because I had never heard of it. At age 10, I figured it was time to taste it, and I started looking in my various tomes for information in it. My wont is to learn and consume simultaneously but I had to dig out 4 books, before I found a brisk overview from Stephen Brook’s most recent reference book. Even Jane Anson’s (otherwise) authoritative Bordeaux book only mentioned ownership info, although I have not seen/read Neil Martin’s book on the tiny AOC this comes from. In any case, I found this to be a high toned, thinly plum fruited, with some merlot character as it opens. It still has some dusty structure to its medium body. The label specifies 13% abv, which seems reasonable as it’s not a modern zaftig right banker. Brooks’ assessment of this very small estate’s best vintages (2000, 2005, 2009, 2010) as being ‘dull’ seems both harsh…and fair.
It’s unlikely any years of this would be seen stateside, but if so a Pomerol enthusiast might want to try it just for tasting ‘check the box’ duties. I’m glad to have drank it, but would not use personal duty free import exemptions bringing this home from Europe, if in that situation. On my ledger, I’ll assign a B- to this, but now I can say ‘been there, done that, got the T shirt’.
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in the past week I’ve had the DDC (continues to be soooooo friggin’ awesome!!), and my first bottle of VCC (excellent, but really needs some time; if this were its peak, I’d be very disappointed in the QPR — but it’s not — there’s a lot here in reserve). Real TN for the VCC to follow eventually … but I must get me some more of that DDC! Between the two – honestly – I’d rather have the DDC.
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I have a couple bottles of the 2014 VCC that I’ve been wavering on opening – sounds like patience on those is in order. Thanks for the note.
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Assuming you’re not using “couple” loosely, then – yeah – I’d keep holding them.
Same. I really want to check in on one, but gonna hold out and give them a few more years.
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Alex, it is not just that these are pricey objects, this is also a truly classic wine that will be optimal if you give it a minimum of five more years. I’m not touching mine. I think Mark Golodetz has got about the most Bordeaux knowledge of anybody here, call it the wine of the vintage. I’m a huge fan of the Château anyway, and a massive fan of 2014, so you know where I sit with it. I’m sure if you popped it, you would thoroughly enjoy it, but the key is for us, especially guys like me with like no willpower, sitting tightly while they mature!
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To add to this, I had bought a 6 pack of 2014 VCC and opened the first bottle last year. It was phenomenal. Very Burgundianesque (in a good way). Bought 6 more.
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I really appreciate the response and advice, thanks Robert. Mark G’s rhapsodizing on the 2014 is what made me want to open one in the first place, but glad to have another vote in the “wait” column. Was gonna open for my 40th birthday last month but got a brutal cold so put on hold, maybe it was a blessing in disguise!
Just keep re-reading Dinesh’s post above. He has the right answer. I also tried mine and bought more.
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