Château Pomeaux 2014

After three consecutive challenging vintages, the 2014 Bordeaux vintage got off to a good start. The winter was characterized by moderate temperatures and heavy rain, replenishing water tables after years of drought conditions. Rainfall was at its highest level since the 2001 vintage, making 2014 one of the wettest winters in half a century. This led to an early bud burst in the middle of March, which was slightly warmer than usual. A warm, sunny, and dry April was followed by cooler temperatures and some rain in May. Flowering occurred at a rapid pace in June, which featured hot temperatures and created tropical conditions with the risk of mildew and rot.  To combat this, extensive leaf reduction and crop thinning for improved circulation of grape bunches was undertaken. Severe hailstorms struck the Medoc and St. Emilion in June, causing severe damage. July turned out to be a wet, rainy month with cool temperatures. August was dry, but cool, lacking heat and sunshine. In early September, the weather warmed and the sun began to shine. This warmer weather helped dry the vineyards. In mid-September more rain fell, but the remainder of September featured warm, dry days and cool nights, making September 2014 one of the hottest, sunniest, and driest months in decades. Favorable weather continued in early October, providing perfect conditions for the 2014 Bordeaux harvest. The long growing season and beautiful conditions from late September through October produced high quality grapes in quantities greater than those experienced in the preceding three Bordeaux vintages.

The 2014 vintage of Château Pomeaux was harvested in the first week of October. Château Pomeaux was able to harvest a moderate crop of perfectly ripe grapes. After malolactic fermentation in small oak barrels and maturation in new French oak barrels, the wine was bottled in June 2016. The 2014 vintage of Château Pomeaux wine is concentrated, intense, rich, fruity, balanced, and delicious.

Reviews

JAMES SUCKLING

Score 91/100 

“Aromas of poached plums, vanilla, chocolate orange, walnuts and spice box. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Well-balanced with delicious walnut and chocolate notes.” 

TASTED 100% BLIND