Crus bourgeois 2014, the selection
It's now official: the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc, "quality approach 2014", have just been presented to the press. No fewer than 278 properties will be able to display the famous label on their bottles.
Introduced in 2008, the "Crus Bourgeois" recognition is about to undergo a major change. At a general meeting, the owners voted to create an official classification based on three categories: Crus Bourgeois, Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs and Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels. This desire to return to a classification for Crus Bourgeois still needs to be validated by official bodies such as INAO (Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité) before it can be implemented in the coming years.
In the meantime, we have tasted this new selection. 2014 was not an easy vintage in Bordeaux, where the winegrower had to battle against numerous viticultural worries and often capricious weather.
The wines are obviously affected. The tannins are sometimes biting, the structures a little lean and the green bell pepper aromas are the result of ripeness not always at its optimum.
But hard work pays off. There are some real surprises in this vintage, with full-bodied, fruity, particularly gourmet wines.
And when you consider that the price of these Crus Bourgeois is much more attractive than that of the untouchable Grands Crus Classés, you can say, loud and clear, that in addition to being good value for money, they're great values. Here's our preview selection.
Château La Branne - Médoc - 2014
The oak is present, but the whole is well balanced, with real structure on the palate. A rather robust wine, but well suited to winter gastronomy. 15
Château Poitevin - Médoc - 2014
A mellow woodiness, less prominent than usual for this fine Médoc estate, which offers well-structured, full-bodied wines with medium ageing potential. 15,5
Château Beaumont - Haut-Médoc - 2014
A nose full of greed, fruit and pleasure. The palate is well-crafted, with no rough edges and as gourmand as ever. A wine of pleasure that will silence the followers of basic Bordeaux bashing. 16
Château Belle-Vue - Haut-Médoc - 2014
Now a sure bet, this estate continues to work on improving its tannins towards greater suavity and delicacy. This vintage is a concrete example of how to combine suavity and density. - 16
Château Hourtin-Ducasse - Haut-Médoc - 2014
Slightly minty. Ample, generous, balanced palate. A wine for pleasure at its simplest. 15
Château Magnol - Haut-Médoc - 2014
Floral, very aromatic for a greedy nose. Round, suave, pleasant and charming on the palate. 15
Château Meyre - Haut-Médoc - 2014
A wine of roundness and delicacy, with a lovely nose of mellow wood, full of promise. 15
Branas Grand Poujeaux - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2014
Very classic, very Bordeaux nose with notes of black fruit and spices. Tannins are present but smooth, and the palate is as round as one could wish. 15,5
Château Brillette - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2014
Slightly minty, the nose offers a first impression of freshness. Dense on the palate, a little tannic but well-built. 15
