2014 La Garde

The 2014 La Garde is located in Martillac next to the new vineyard that is now part of Les Carmes Haut-Brion (Guilhaume Poutier used to be winemaker at current proprietor Dourthe). It has a very pleasant bouquet with brambly black fruit intermingling with wilted rose petals and a touch of wild mint. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, plenty of cedar-infused black fruit, exerting quite a tight grip in the mouth and that touch of mint returning just on the finish. Enjoy this over the next four or five years, possibly longer.

The 2014 La Garde is a deep, powerful wine. Black cherry, smoke, licorice, herb and earth tones contribute to its virile, brooding personality. The wine comes across as somewhat unyielding and less generous than it did as a young wine from barrel. It will be interesting to see if the 2014 develops a bit more charm in bottle. Today, it is a bit of a bruiser.

A juicy, mouth-filling wine, the 2014 La Garde delivers tons of depth and nuance in an open, supple style. Scents of graphite, smoke, red plum and raspberry jam add complexity as this succulent wine shows off its generous, inviting personality. There is a lot to like here. Best of all, the 2014 should be a terrific value.