Wine Words & Video Tape

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Bordeaux 2014: Primeurs week begins

Written by JW. Posted in Bordeaux

DSC02924Primeurs week begins today in Bordeaux and the first signs are that 2014 looks to be a good vintage. After a string of comparatively mediocre years, culminating in the disappointing 2013 vintage, it is likely that 2014, after an exceptional September, has produced the most promising wines the region has seen since 2010. Much is left to be discovered and I’ve only been tasting in St Emilion this weekend but first indications are good. Still the success of the forthcoming en primeur campaign surely rests as much on price as it does upon quality [though a good quality vintage will be a relief]. After three missed opportunities by and large, can Bordeaux’s proprietors finally judge market sentiment correctly and release 2014 at prices cheaper than currently available vintages? While the weakness of the euro already guarantees a price cut in the UK and US markets, a drop in price in real terms would surely galvanise interest once more in Bordeaux in what looks to be an extremely promising vintage.

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After only two days of tasting, covering the wines of the right bank at the Grand Cercle’s very well organised event held at Château Bellefont-Belcier [above], it is evident that 2014 has produced some bold wines, many with good colour and plenty of extract and tannin. There have been some considerable successes amongst the St Emilion Grand Crus Classés and Pomerol, as well as in Fronsac, Montagne St Emilion, Castillon and Lalande de Pomerol. A small number of wines tasted from the left bank, including the Médoc and Haut-Médoc appellations, were exciting, exhibiting attractive fruit, ripe tannins and considerable style. I will report in more detail as the week progresses. Watch this space! In the meantime, fingers crossed on price…

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