Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The 2014 La Chenade has a reserved but well defined bouquet with earthy red and black fruit, hints of truffle oil and sage, gaining a little intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm and quite strict tannin. This is rather aloof and distant and yet it is undeniably well defined and fascinating, a Pomerol that clearly needs some bottle age. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2014 Lafleur-Pétrus is a wine of translucence and total finesse. Deep and rich, yet also light on its feet, the 2014 Lafleur-Pétrus is one of the most distinctive wines of the vintage for the way in which it brings together intensity and elegance, all with an unmistakably understated personality. Bright aromatic top notes add to the wine’s open-knit bouquet and overall feeling of sensuality. A considerable amount of Cabernet Franc character comes through, even if Franc is only 7 % of the blend. All the elements are in the right place. In 2014, Lafleur-Pétrus is 93 % Merlot and 7 % Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion has a sophisticated, very detailed bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, cedar and graphite. This is very focused and yet at the same time quite controlled and discrete. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, cedar and touches of allspice. I love the depth of this wine and the gentle grip towards the finish. It knows not to push too hard in this growing season and that results in a very classy wine. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96+)

The 2014 La Mondotte is fabulous. Ripe, powerful and structured, with notable vertical intensity, it is wonderfully complete, not to mention hugely expressive. Inky blue and purplish-hued stone fruits, crème de cassis, licorice, lavender and violet build effortlessly as the wine shows off its beguiling personality. Even with all of its intensity, it finishes with notable precision and driven by distinctive chalk-inflected notes. A few years in bottle should help the new oak integrate. Today, the 2014 Mondotte is a real stunner. The blend is 80 % Merlot and 20 % Cabernet Franc.

Tim Atkin MW (94)

La Rioja Alta is one of the most traditional wineries in Haro’s Barrio de la Estación, famous for producing wines that are good to drink on release, but also age beautifully in bottle. This new Gran Reserva, made from Tempranillo with 6% Graciano for added backbone, is very much a reflection of the cooler, more “Atlantic” 2014 vintage. La Rioja Alta didn’t make its top two Gran Reservas – 904 and 890 – in 2014, so all of its best grapes were used for Viña Arana. Fine and elegant, with vibrant acidity, notes of coconut and cinnamon from the American oak and a core of savoury, refreshing tobacco leaf and red berry flavours framed by fine, caressing tannins. Old-fashioned Rioja at its glorious best.

Wine Advocate (90-93)

Tasted as a tank sample, the 2014 Grand Cuvee Blanc is a terrific looking blend of mostly Grenache Gris that’s aged, on Viognier lees, in 20% demi-muids. From the Aspres terroir and 60- to 70-year-old vines, it has awesome notes of citrus blossom, white flowers, green herbs, salty minerality and ample pear and stone-fruit characteristics on the nose. This is followed by a textured, full-flavored, yet clean and pure white that has both freshness and richness. Count me a fan. This is a terrific white that will impress for 2-3 years, if not longer.

James Suckling (98)

The aromas of stones, oyster shell, blackcurrants and mushrooms are very intense. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with lots of blackberries. Great finish. Super energy and depth. Try in 2022. Fascinating.

James Suckling (100)

That is fantastic on the nose. OMG! Exuberant aromas of lavender, tobacco, cigar box, violets and slice plums. Medium to full body. It just builds on the palate and goes on forever. Speechless. Such finesse and beauty. Just a hint of spices. What a glorious, hyper-classic wine. Coup de foudre!

One of the finest exemplars of Champagne in existence, the Laherte Freres Les Vignes d'Autrefois Extra Brut 2014 epitomises the elaborate craftsmanship of the famed Laherte Freres estate. Located in the celebrated Chavot-Courcourt region of France, the vineyard blends conventional wisdom with avant-garde winemaking techniques to bring to life this delectable heritage cuvée.

Born from a single vineyard growing on clay and limestone soils, this 2014 vintage is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, painstakingly harvested by hand to ensure their pristine condition. After undergoing meticulous vinification in oak with indigenous yeasts, the wine is left to age on lees for 24 months, resulting in an extra brut that truly captivates.

The Laherte Freres Les Vignes d'Autrefois Extra Brut 2014 reveals complex notes of white fruit, brioche, and an enticing minerality. The palate is robust, yet refined, reflecting the extraordinary precision of this esteemed estate. A splendid toast to tradition.

James Suckling (94)

Lovely aromas of chocolate and currants with bright cherries. Full body, tight and compacted tannins and a fresh and fruity finish. Crisp acidity. Linear and refined. Start drinking in 2021.

Vinous (95)

The 2014 Extra Brut Les Chemins d"Avize Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is fabulous. Rich, ample and potent, the 2014 possesses tremendous density from start to finish. Apricot, spice, dried flowers, graphite and lemon confit all build in a Champagne of enormous resonance. The pedigree here is evident. Chemins d"Avize is a blend from the Chemin de Plivot and Chemin de Flavigny lieux-dits. It was vinified in neutral oak and bottled with dosage of two grams per liter. Disgorged: June, 2021.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2014 Lascombes is a bold, dramatic wine. Dark stone fruit, leather, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, licorice and French oak all meld together in the glass. Lascombes is a powerful, modern Margaux with soft contours and considerable fruit intensity. All the elements come together effortlessly. Readers should expect a bold, intense wine. Tasted two times.

James Suckling (99)

So much violets, licorice, pencil, flowers and currants define this on the nose before it moves to fresh mushrooms. It’s full-bodied yet compacted with tension and a compressed center palate. Incredible, fine-grained tannins and energy. The length is truly great. Should be even more beautiful in 2024. Give it time.

James Suckling (99)

So much violets, licorice, pencil, flowers and currants define this on the nose before it moves to fresh mushrooms. It’s full-bodied yet compacted with tension and a compressed center palate. Incredible, fine-grained tannins and energy. The length is truly great. Should be even more beautiful in 2024. Give it time.

James Suckling (99)

So much violets, licorice, pencil, flowers and currants define this on the nose before it moves to fresh mushrooms. It’s full-bodied yet compacted with tension and a compressed center palate. Incredible, fine-grained tannins and energy. The length is truly great. Should be even more beautiful in 2024. Give it time.

Wine Advocate (88)

The 2014 Bourgogne Blanc has developed nicely during the remainder of its élevage since I tasted it from stainless steel tank, offering apple blossom, flint and smoky scents that possess much more character. The palate is fresh on the entry with citrus peel and fresh Granny Smith, well judged acidity and a bright and lively finish. This is precisely what you want from a Bourgogne Blanc. Tasted December 2016.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2014 Léoville Barton has a crisp, poised bouquet with graphite tinged black fruit, hints of crushed flower and clove, nicely define and gaining definition with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, beautifully judged acidity, sophisticated and poised, fanning out with confidence towards the fresh, energetic finish. This is a succinct and beautifully crafted Saint Julien with many years of drinking enjoyment to give. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2014 Léoville Poyferré has a very complex bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, crushed stone, cedar and hints of violet. It is extremely focused, intense rather than overtly powerful. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp and generous, conveying much more tension and precision than the Léoville Las-Cases. It gradually fans out in the second half with real mineralité, quite profound in the context of the vintage. Outstanding. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder is beautifully complete, with a layered, multi-dimensional, elegant profile that's more structured than the Diamond Mountain, yet more seamless and approachable than the Howell Mountain. Crème de cassis, Asian spice, smoked earth, incense and sandalwood note all flow to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that has no hard edges, ultra-fine tannin, incredible purity of fruit, and a great finish. As with all these 2014s, it's not about huge richness and opulence and more about purity, nuance and balance. It's a damn near perfect wine that will only get better with 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for three to four decades.

Vinous (93+)

Good bright medium red. Aromas of raspberry, rose petal, minerals and crushed stone convey a very sexy, slightly high-toned liqueur-like quality. Dense, fine-grained and taut, displaying piquant mineral energy and mouthwatering acidity to its flavors of raspberry, cherry and blood orange. Really compelling inner-mouth tension here. This firmly tannic, classic 2014 finishes with lovely rising floral length. I would not be at all surprised if a decade of cellaring brought an even higher score.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

Sourced from 39 plots, the 2014 Champagne Cristal is 60% Pinot Noir and the remainder Chardonnay, with 32% aged in oak, and it has 7 grams per liter dosage. It is highly expressive of classic elegance and purity, revealing aromas of crushed rock, almond croissant, and perfume of citrus blossoms. The palate is hyper-refined in its mousse, with pinpoint bubbles, a subtly rounded mid-palate, an irresistible chalky texture, and energy throughout its long and floral finish. Everything about this feels perfectly tailored. Drink 2024-2044.

James Suckling (95)

Round and creamy, yet bright and tangy, with delicious pie crust, walnuts, lemons, sourdough, white peaches and apricot stones. More gourmand, with a creamy mousse. Lingering praline and pastry notes. Pinot noir and chardonnay. Drink or hold.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94+)

The 2014 Malartic-Lagravière is a gorgeous wine, but it is also flamboyant and exotic, especially in its flavor profile. Super-ripe red cherry and plum make a strong first impression. Sweet floral and spice notes, along with ripe, silky tannins, add to the wine's sensuality. A rich, powerful wine with soft contours and striking depth, the 2014 is a real beauty. It will be even more compelling once the new oak tannins soften a bit further. The blend is 52 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 % Merlot, 5 % Cabernet Franc and 3 % Petit Verdot. Tasted two times.

Explore the Markus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Pinot Noir 3* Fass 1 2014, an exquisite addition to the pantheon of German wine. The 3-star classification denotes the highest quality in Markus Molitor's tier system, and this spellbinding vintage doesn't disappoint. Nestled in Germany's Mosel wine region, the Graacher Himmelreich vineyard cultivates the Pinot Noir grapes in their steep, slaty, south-facing slopes, inducing unique mineral character and complexity. Year 2014 saw excellent maturity, helping to balance the acidity in this magnificent bottle of wine.

The wine whispers depth and clarity through ruby-red hues. This Pinot Noir boasts of elegance and intensity, with a captivating array of black fruit, clove, and wild herb aromas. Aged in French oak casks, it offers refined texture, profound minerality, and a breathtakingly long finish. Tradition meets innovation in Markus Molitor's expert hands, elevating this '14 Pinot Noir, Graacher Himmelreich 3* Fass 1 to heights of wine perfection.

Vinous (98.5)

The 2014 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is a stunning wine. Sweet, perfumed and deep, the 2014 is off-the-charts great. Dark red and purplish berry fruit, mint, lavender, spice and hard candy infuse the 2014 with striking layers of nuance. But what really impresses about the 2014 is its depth and huge vertical build. All the elements fall into place in a sumptuous, deep Barolo that screams with character. Beams of tannin punctuate the finish. Massolino's 2014 is one of the greatest Vigna Riondas I have ever tasted.

Vinous (98.5)

The 2014 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is a stunning wine. Sweet, perfumed and deep, the 2014 is off-the-charts great. Dark red and purplish berry fruit, mint, lavender, spice and hard candy infuse the 2014 with striking layers of nuance. But what really impresses about the 2014 is its depth and huge vertical build. All the elements fall into place in a sumptuous, deep Barolo that screams with character. Beams of tannin punctuate the finish. Massolino's 2014 is one of the greatest Vigna Riondas I have ever tasted.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

This is a very fine wine showing a new level of quality at Montrose. With its almost velvet tannins inside the intense black fruits, the wine is rich, smooth and generous. Blackberry and black-plum fruits are to the fore along with the fine acidity and great structure. A wine to age for decades, it will be ready to drink from 2027.

Behold the epitome of grandeur, the Montus Madiran La Tyre 2014 - a consummate embodiment of delectable elegance. This stunning single-varietal Tannat is the jewel in the crown of Domaine Montus, a leading pioneer in Madiran, South West France.

Masterfully cultivated on the steep, south-facing slopes of Pyrenean gravel, this wine exudes a compelling complexity, courtesy of its extended ageing in 100% new oak barriques.

The Montus Madiran La Tyre 2014 showcases an intense bouquet of ripe berries, intricately interwoven with hints of exotic spices, dark chocolate, and a delightfully refined touch of vanilla, culminating in a profoundly lingering finish. The majestic power of this vintage is artfully balanced by its elegant tannins and vibrant acidity, making it an exquisite testament to the producer's dedication to excellence.

As you savour each sip, allow your palate to be enlivened by the passion and finesse that underpins every drop of Montus Madiran La Tyre 2014.