2014
2014
2014
What a relief after the difficult moments we experienced in 2013! This succession of very different vintages makes Bordeaux a unique place, where one can rely on experience without ever being tempted to repeat it! In 2014, we went back to—almost—normal quantities, certainly higher than in 2013, but yet not at the level we hope to reach. As usual, when conditions are not those of a great vintage, the gap widens between the best terroirs and the others, which, despite a beautiful September, could not fully catch up on the time lost in August. Only our emblematic plot of merlot, called « l’Eglise », could be included in the Grand Vin, representing only 5% of the merlot in the blend. But it is superb and ranks among the best successes of the past ten years. All the great cabernet sauvignons are exactly where they belong—at the top! They account for 90% of the Grand Vin. 3% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot complete this blend, which has become fairly classic in recent years.
Château Margaux 2014 represents 36% of the harvest—the core of true quality. It’s a powerful, fleshy wine, whose silky tannins almost make one forget its great concentration and fine acidity. It may not rank among the greatest vintages of this century, but can certainly claim a place just behind them. Ideally, it is best to wait a few more years before opening. (February 2025)
Climate
After a very wet and mild winter, without any significant cold spells, spring was « normal »: May was rather cool and June was quite warm, so flowering happened on the usual dates, and under very favourable conditions; it was therefore very quick and homogenous, contrary to the previous year.
July didn’t bring us any great surprises, but August was particularly cool, without doubt one of the coldest we have seen in recent times. These low temperatures made it difficult for the grapes to change colour, which took a long time. Fortunately it didn’t rain much, but in neither July nor August did we have a really dry spell. As it often happens in Bordeaux, at the end of August anything was still possible; a prospect of a good vintage as well as of a mediocre one… The really fine sunny weather of September brought us exactly what we were hoping for: the heat and drought enabled the grapes to ripen perfectly, and the harvest to take place under ideal conditions. The complete opposite to what happened in 2013… The white harvest took place from the 15th to the 19th of September, and the red harvest from the 29th of September to the 10th of October.
What a relief after the difficult moments we experienced in 2013! This succession of very different vintages makes Bordeaux a unique place, where one can rely on experience without ever being tempted to repeat it! In 2014, we went back to—almost—normal quantities, certainly higher than in 2013, but yet not at the level we hope to reach. As usual, when conditions are not those of a great vintage, the gap widens between the best terroirs and the others, which, despite a beautiful September, could not fully catch up on the time lost in August. Only our emblematic plot of merlot, called « l’Eglise », could be included in the Grand Vin, representing only 5% of the merlot in the blend. But it is superb and ranks among the best successes of the past ten years. All the great cabernet sauvignons are exactly where they belong—at the top! They account for 90% of the Grand Vin. 3% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot complete this blend, which has become fairly classic in recent years.
Château Margaux 2014 represents 36% of the harvest—the core of true quality. It’s a powerful, fleshy wine, whose silky tannins almost make one forget its great concentration and fine acidity. It may not rank among the greatest vintages of this century, but can certainly claim a place just behind them. Ideally, it is best to wait a few more years before opening. (February 2025)
Climate
After a very wet and mild winter, without any significant cold spells, spring was « normal »: May was rather cool and June was quite warm, so flowering happened on the usual dates, and under very favourable conditions; it was therefore very quick and homogenous, contrary to the previous year.
July didn’t bring us any great surprises, but August was particularly cool, without doubt one of the coldest we have seen in recent times. These low temperatures made it difficult for the grapes to change colour, which took a long time. Fortunately it didn’t rain much, but in neither July nor August did we have a really dry spell. As it often happens in Bordeaux, at the end of August anything was still possible; a prospect of a good vintage as well as of a mediocre one… The really fine sunny weather of September brought us exactly what we were hoping for: the heat and drought enabled the grapes to ripen perfectly, and the harvest to take place under ideal conditions. The complete opposite to what happened in 2013… The white harvest took place from the 15th to the 19th of September, and the red harvest from the 29th of September to the 10th of October.
Service & tasting
Discover our tips for serving and tasting your wine in the best conditions.
Service & tasting
Discover our tips for serving and tasting your wine in the best conditions.