07/04/2015
Bordeaux Primeurs 2014: Results (4)
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The outstanding 2014 wines that scored more than 17.5 // 95
22 red wines are up there. What makes them better than the others? It is known that to produce high-quality grapes, the vine has to stop growing before they begin to change colour from green to red. This halt in growth depends above all on the weather in July. However in July 2014, the cool temperatures did not stimulate this slow-down and energy, which is normally freed up for fruit development, continued to be directed towards vegetation growth. And the effect on taste? This condition generally leads to a lack in a wine's performance on the mid-palate, not enough vigour and no tight tannic structure on the finish. As the wine builds on the palate, it's as if it cannot take off from the sensations on the attack and the mid-palate to make it up to the finish. The wines can be attractive and have balance and a certain presence, but fail to move into top gear after 5 or 6 seconds on the palate. It so happens that the 22 red wines described in this report have managed to escape better than the others from the objective conditions in which this vintage was produced. In a later report, I will discuss the wines that are outside the framework set here. They are wines with merit, extra special successes or Outsiders, and it will be this group where the best value for money will be found in 2014. See me discussing the vintage (in French) on the French channel TV7 En Primeurs 2014 see the reports – access the database we are offering subscriptions at a special price available by clicking on this link: /en/subscriptions/all-quarin-com_b.html |
