2014 Pomerol & Right Bank Bordeaux – From Every Day to Blue Chip Wines

After a string of challenging years 2014 Bordeaux has shaped up to be the best vintage following the historic back-to-back vintages of 2009 and 2010. The long growing season and a glorious autumn allowed for both maximum ripening and maximum concentration. Yet ultimately it was the cool summer weather that has determined the style of the wines, with low pH and good concentration the wines of 2014 Bordeaux will generally show both power and freshness.

We’re looking forward to bringing in literal truckloads of 2014 Bordeaux. With this first shipment we’re focusing mainly on the Merlot-based wines from the clay rich terroir of Pomerol and a few of the “Right Bank” satellite appellations. These wines represent everything from under $20 every day drinking wines all the way to top producer wines capable of decades long cellar development.

We’ll have an assortment of wines open to taste this Saturday. All bottle prices are deeply discounted and based on the purchase of six or more bottles.

Although Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate ratings don’t factor into how we select the wines we carry, we do understand that many drinkers find them useful. You’ll see the ratings for the 2014 vintage of each wine following the text.

The Satellites

$17 Château Carlmagnus (Fronsac) SOLD OUT
The top property owned and run by Arnaud Roux-Oulié. It’s a prime location on the clay and limestone plateau overlooking the town of Fronsac. (90-92)

~$19 Château Mont-Pérat (Premières Côtes de Bordeaux) SOLD OUT
Mentioned in the 1864 edition of the famous Feret Wine Guide as one of the jewels in the crown of the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux appellation area. (88-90)

~$24 Château Montlandrie (Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux) SOLD OUT
An ample wine from perfectionist proprietor Denis Durantou, known for his celebrated Pomerol estate Château l’Eglise Clinet. (89-91)

~$25 Château d’Aiguilhe (Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux) SOLD OUT
Uniquely located between a plateau and a small valley Château d’Aiguilhe is owned by Stephan von Neipperg, perhaps better known for his other estates of Château Canon-la-Gaffelière and La Mondotte. (90-92)

~$25 Château de Chambrun (Lalande de Pomerol) SOLD OUT
Owned and operated by Silvio Denz, known for several high profile estates in Saint-Émilion, including Château Faugères and Château Péby Faugères. (89-91)

~$31 Château La Fleur de Boüard (Lalande de Pomerol)
Managed by Coralie de Boüard. The de Bouard family are well known for their vineyards in Saint-Émilion, including Château Angélus and Château Bellevue. (89-91)

Pomerol

~$27 Château Mazeyres SOLD OUT
Managed by Alain Moueix, who also runs Château Fonroque. Fine terroir that is currently certified organic and heading toward biodynamic in the next couple years. (89-91)

~$45 Château Rouget SOLD OUT
An extensive replanting of the vineyards and complete modernization of the wine making facilities from 2001 brings Château Rouget near the top tier of Pomerol estates. (89-91)

~$50 Château Nenin
A large property by Pomerol standards, Château Nenin is run by Jean-Hubert Delon and his sister Geneviève d’Alton, the proprietors of Château Léoville-Las-Cases. (91-93)

~$77 Château Le Bon Pasteur
Previously owned and still managed by legendary Bordeaux wine consultant Michel Rolland along with his wife Dany. (89-91)

~$82 Clos L’Eglise
Owned, operated, and recently modernized by a line of the distinguished Cathiard family of Château Smith Haut Lafitte fame. (90-92)

~$84 Château Clinet
Since 2004, Ronan Laborde placed all his focus on turning Château Clinet into one of the top wines of Pomerol, the estate has been improving steadily since. (89-91)

~$84 Château Gazin
Château Gazin borders Château Petrus and L’Évangile and even sold 13 acres of vines to Petrus back in the 1960s. This wine could be as close as many of us get to drinking Petrus in our lifetimes. (91-93)

~$93 Château Le Gay
One of Bordeaux’s most respected proprietors, Catherine Péré Vergé brought this storied estate back to prominence in the early 2000s. Her son, Henri Parent, now follows in her footsteps. (90-92)

~$127 Château La Conseillante
Owned and operated by the same family since 1874 and bordering Château Cheval Blanc and Vieux Château Certan, Château La Conseillante is top tier Pomerol. (92-94)

~$161 Château L’Évangile SOLD OUT
Domaines Baron de Rothschild of Château Lafite is among the most prestigious names in Bordeaux. As majority owner of L’Évangile it’s easy to see why this estate produces some of the most sought-after wines of Pomerol. (92-94)

~$246 Château L’Eglise-Clinet
One of the elite properties of Pomerol thanks to perfectionist proprietor Denis Durantou. If this bottle doesn’t fit the wine budget try Denis’ Château Montlandrie from Castillon. (93-95)

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Posted on 2017.04.28 in France, Bordeaux, Saturday Sips Wines