2014 Belgrave
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Belgrave has a pleasant, simple nose with tarry black fruit, fresher than some of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly austere tannins but balanced with a classically styled tobacco-tinged finish. Tasted non-blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Tim Atkin MW
More reviews and scores
66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. After a promising start to the year, a dull, gloomy summer meant ripening got off to a slow start. Any worries were lifted towards the end of August with the arrival of exceptional weather conditions. The grapes ripened steadily throughout September and October against the backdrop of a superb Indian summer. Harvesting stretched calmly over three weeks, 25 September to 16 October. Deep ruby colour. Cedar, camphor and fresh blackcurrant on a fairly savoury nose. Leafy and fresh on the palate, just enough ripe cassis to hold it together. Linear and understated, with well-integrated tannins offering good approachability for the vintage. (TP)
66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Tasted blind. Darkish crimson. Rather dull fruit. Not much energy. Stolid with quite a bit of tannin and no lift. (JR)
The 2014 Belgrave has a straightforward but pure bouquet with blackcurrant and raspberry coulis . The palate is medium-bodied with sweet plummy fruit, moderate acidity, though the finish feels slightly over-extracted and therefore is missing just that bite and race you are looking for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
About the producer
With deep gravel soils and lying just across a stream from Saint-Julien, this Fifth Growth has been managed by the négociant Dourthe since 1979 – bringing expertise that has helped deliver on the site’s potential.