Tuesday’s 2014 primeurs tastings started at Château Palmer [pictured – but not in that weather – grey and drizzly] and continued with the UGC Margaux event at Château Dauzac. The wines generally showed a lot of very vivacious and attractive fruit with vibrant acidity and there was more homogeneity than usual. Palmer and Alter Ego looked good with plenty of texture and fruit. Château Margaux tasted later felt classical and proportional. Pavillon Blanc looks excellent [many of the 2014 whites are very good indeed]. Overall in Margaux there is much to compare with 2008 in terms of freshness and 2012 in terms of fruit, though more so, and at the top level 2014 appears to be better than both vintages. Tastings at the UGC event at Château Lamarque – where a large St Bernard was woofing at visitors from the ramparts of the château – were rewarding. There is a lot of fresh, juicy fruit and ripe tannin on display amongst the Haut-Médocs, and these should [hopefully] offer good value.

Château Léoville Poyferré held the UGC St Julien tasting and the wines were typically homogeneous and impressive. Many displayed wonderful purity, texture and a great sense of proportion. Branaire-Ducru, Gloria, St Pierre and Gruaud Larose looked especially good. Léoville-Barton was classical [I’ve already noted the quality of the efforts at the other two Léovilles].

Down in Pessac at La Mission Haut-Brion the reds are balanced and elegant with plenty of freshness [both Haut-Brion and La Mission]. The whites are fabulous, made in tiny quantities of course, but both La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut Brion Blanc in 2014 rival some of the best these properties have produced in recent years. More detailed notes [and scores] on all of these wines soon. Wednesday sees the right bank with trips to St Emilion and Pomerol.