A pure Merlot from Château Garraud in Lalande-de-Pomerol (Marquis de G is a Bordeaux AOC). Transparent, light purple colour with discreet brick-red tones at the rim. Visually, the wine does not yet show its age. On the nose, great, inviting fruity aromas of plum and blackberries. Behind this are spicy and earthy secondary aromas reminiscent of beetroot. Very good so far! In the mouth, a dry mouthfeel, but rather slightly astringent. Overall rather light with a good acidity so that the fruit does not come across too lush. This Merlot from a relatively – at least to me – unknown winemaker surprised me positively. The velvety, light tannins do not suggest a much longer ageing potential, but that doesn’t matter at all, because the wine is virtually singing at the moment. And at this price, it’s all the more fun. Drink now and within the next two years.
Drink through 2024.
Tasted by Dominik Müller on Sunday, 12 February 2023.
Flawed? | no | |
DM: |
8Wines with a DM5 to DM8 rating are good wines. They are pure and balanced. They also tend to show some character in the form of the typicity of the grape variety or the region. / 20 ("good") |
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Stars: |
4Wines with a rating of 4 stars are excellent wines in their category. They are almost at the top of their peer group in terms of personality and complexity. / 5 |
Vintage: |
2014 Good wines were made all over Bordeaux, albeit with some variation across the appellations. Successful vintage especially for Cabernet Sauvignon on the left bank, notably in Saint-Estèphe and Pauillac. If anything, the wines may have matured better than initially expected. They're classic, structured Bordeaux reds that have been attractive from the start but are only now beginning to shine. Good year for both dry and sweet white wines, too. Possibly the best vintage since 2010, but sometimes overlooked because of the excellent 2015 vintage that followed. Accordingly, prices have remained relatively affordable. |
Colour: | red |
Style: | still (dry) |
Assemblage: | no |
Grape variety: | Merlot |
For assemblages, the main grape variety is shown. | |
Producer: | Château Garraud |
Country: | France |
Region: | Bordeaux |
Subregion: | n/a |
Appellation: | Bordeaux AOC |
Vineyard: | n/a |
More details on this wine. | |
View this wine on CellarTracker. |