2014 Poesia
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The 2014 Poesia feels more Merlot-driven on the nose compared to the 2013. There is more red fruit here with crushed strawberry, bing cherry, blueberry and violet aromas. This coalesces in the glass, becoming more and more sensual. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly drier tannins than the 2013, a liberal dose of black pepper lending spiciness, touches of graphite and tobacco towards the finish that imparts an almost Left Bank personality. With moderate length, this may require three to four more years in bottle. Tasted at the Poesia vertical in Saint-Émilion.
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Neal Martin
Neal Martin
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(14.5% alcohol; made from ungrafted Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in 1935; aged in new French oak for 18 months): Medium ruby-red. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, boysenberry, licorice, fresh herbs and menthol. In a distinctly more medicinal style than the winery's 2013s, consistent with the cooler 2014 vintage. Plenty of acidity here, but it's not yet in harmony with the wine's fruit. Finishes quite firm, with dark berry, licorice and herb notes but not the length or class of the superb 2013 release. But this needs time. Poesia is the Argentine venture of Bordeaux-based winemakers Hélène Garcin, whose family owns Château Barde-Haut and Clos L'Eglise among other Bordeaux properties, and her husband Patrice Lévèque.
The top-of-the-range 2014 Poesía is a blend of 60% ungrafted Malbec with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from 13 hectares of vines planted 83 years ago at some 900 meters in altitude in Luján de Cuyo. It fermented in French oak and stainless steel vats with indigenous yeasts and long macerations. It matured in new French oak barriques for 28 months before being bottled. This is a selection of different lots that were aged separately in barrels, with the best barrels selected to create this top cuvée. There was only one year when they co-fermented the two varieties, but in general they keep them separate. In reality, they prefer to separate the varieties so that later they can make selections. This is super elegant, sleek and polished, quite different from the idea most people tend to have about a red from Luján. The two varieties are very integrated, and the wine feels superbly balanced. The tannins are super elegant, harmonious and nuanced, clean, focused and long. This should age very nicely in bottle. 11,000 bottles produced.
The 2014 Poesia has a slightly muffled bouquet compared to previous bottles with wet clay-tinged red berry fruit, a hint of black truffle in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe, red berry fruit on the entry, nicely judged acidity with a cohesive, quite poised finish. I like the focus and energy of this recently debuted Saint-Émilion and it should age well. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.