Bordeaux 2014 Primeurs: Haut-Médoc Tasting Notes
As it turns out the greatest number of my tasting notes relate to châteaux nestled between Margaux and Bordeaux, the southern part of the Haut-Médoc appellation. And there were a number of other wines from these vineyards with no less promise than Château Cambon la Pelouse. Near-neighbour Château Belle-Vue was particularly impressive, closely followed by the likes of Château Cantemerle, Château Clément-Pichon, Château de Gironville, Clos du Jaugueyron and several others. And of course we should not overlook Château La Lagune, a favourite name for many fans of quality and value combined.
Château La Lagune
In a detailed vintage report from Château La Lagune I learnt that the budbreak here was also early, and that the vines did well in the warm spring weather. The first flowers appeared in the last ten days of May. This went smoothly for the Cabernets and Petit Verdot, but the Merlots, planted on a more precocious terroir, suffered a little coulure and millerandage. Unusually, in an event I did not hear reported elsewhere, some high temperatures in mid-July led to échaudage, a scalding of the new-formed grapes, particular the Cabernet Sauvignon grown on gravel. The véraison took place at the end of July in wet conditions. This was slow and reasonably homogenous for the Merlot but was felt to be heterogeneous for the Cabernet Sauvignon, with particularly those berries hit by the échaudage lagging behind. The Petit Verdot véraison was late but homogenous. Of course, once the Indian summer arrived, everything got a little easier.
Please log in to continue reading: