On Tuesday evening, the Armit Wines team and some of Burgundy’s most influential growers descended on the magnificent and grand Middle Temple Hall in the heart of London’s legal quarter to put the latest vintage to the test. A true majestic setting for a line-up of majestic wines.
The grand hall filled with the buzz and chatter of growers, journalists, collectors and enthusiasts alike over the anticipated release of the 2014 en primeur wines.
Over 100 wines from 24 wineries were sipped, slurped and written about. Each grower told their own story of the highs and lows of the year and how the fine bottles that stood before us came to be. The conclusion though, that the 2014 vintage was an excellent year in whites, perhaps in the highest échelons of modern vintages, and a very good, although more variable year in reds.
In a room filled with quality conscious producers who set the standards high, we were spoiled with all round very good wines. Being en primeur the wines by nature were young, though they were showing very well at even this very infant stage of their development.
You couldn’t argue with Marc Morey’s Bourgogne blanc for quality to value ratio. A Bourgogne blanc which delivered everything you would hope from a white burgundy and much more. Rounded, creamy texture, fresh lemon and subtle toasted almonds – Bourgogne bliss punching well above its price tag whilst Roulot‘s Meursault 1er Cru Clos des Bouchères was a real indulgence with a million and one nuances of flavour –lemon peel, flint, creamy peach, butter - just a suggestion as to how this wine will evolve.
All in all a vintage of charm, character and quality presented at an evening at Middle Temple Hall which echoed this sentiment.
Our Private Client team highlight their hidden gems from the tasting...
Chassagne Montrachet, Domaine Marc Morey 2014 @ £225.00 per 12 bottles In Bond
In an excellent vintage such as 2014 even Village wines shine and represent outstanding value for money. This Chassagne Montrachet has a lovely floral nose with hints of white fruit emerging. The wine has a fresh palate with citrus and white fruit to the fore, very well balanced and delicious already but will be at its peak in 2 -4 years according to the winemaker. At less than £20 a bottle this is a great addition to any cellar.Peter
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers, Fontaine Gagnard 2014 @ £325.00 per 12 bottles In Bond
Fontaine Gagnard is always a favourite producer to visit at the Burgundy tasting and the 2014’s are the best I have tasted on release. These were a real highlight of the night with the 1er Cru Vergers shining through as the ‘must buy’ from the line-up. Pure and focused and balanced beautifully with well-rounded weight and richness, this is a stunning Chassagne in seamless harmony.Alex
Gevrey Chambertin, Taupenot Merme 2014 @ £148.00 per 6 bottles In Bond
Romain’s wines are getting better each year and his set in 2014 is outstanding. The wines are already there in quality and I suspect in the next few years this will be considered in the premier league of Burgundy as his star continues to rise and positive reviews keep streaming in from the opinion makers. This Gevrey village is of cru level quality and would trick most tasters blind. Powerful and concentrated yet fresh and vibrant allowing the purity to shine through with aplomb. This is a very smart buy.Aschwin
Cotes de Nuits Villages Aux Faulques Millot 2014 @ £180.00 per 12 bottles In Bond
My value pick of the vintage from a producer I hadn’t experienced before our tasting. In my eyes exactly how Pinot Noir should be, bright ruby red, elegant and fresh. Full of bright red fruit- cherries, raspberries, crunchy redcurrants but with enough spice and structure to be serious. It will drink well from 2017-2023+. A steal at £15 per bottle IB.Malcolm
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos des Issart, Domaine Faiveley @ £235.00 per 6 bottles In Bond
The 2014 Clos des Issart from Faiveley was one of the great surprises of the evening for me and a wine that I went back to several time to re-taste during the evening. Lovely inviting dark berries mixed with fresh cranberry notes – really well balanced, lovely roundness, good freshness, terrific length with spicy hints on the finish, almost ready to drink now but definitely age-worthy.Linda
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