Winter and spring were very mild, but the summer of 2014 did not live up to our expectations: it rained heavily in July, and August was much cooler than usual. However, starting in September, a miraculous Indian summer with high temperatures, was very favourable to ripening.
Harvest date: September 29, 2014
Grape blend: Merlot 75% / Cabernet Sauvignon 25%
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Appareance: Beautiful ruby-red colour.
Nose: A bouquet typical of the red wines of Couhins-Lurton, with ripe fruit (blackberry juice), spice, and liquorice aromas. Slightly smoky overtones add complexity.
Mouth: This largely Merlot-based wine starts out round and sweet on the palate, going on to become more intense, with solid, well-structured tannin providing good backbone. The straightforward aftertaste is fruity and never-ending. Unquestionably a very elegant wine. It makes an ideal accompaniment to rib steak with Bordeaux wine sauce, roast quail, or roast chicken with whole, unpeeled garlic cloves, served with fried mushrooms.
92,00 / 100 – The Wine Enthusiast
90,00 / 100 – The Wine Spectator
92,00 / 100 – James Suckling
91,00 / 100 – Yvesbeck.com
17,00 / 20 – Le Point
15,50 / 20 – Le Figaro
Excellent – Vino 2015
16,50 / 20 – Decanter
90,00 à 91,00 / 100 – James Suckling
Surface : 16,00 hectares
Soil : Gravel.
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Grape harvest : Manuelles en cagettes et tri sur table de réception.
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Graft stock : 101.14 – 3309C – Riparia
Plant food : Fertilisation raisonnée
Plant density : 8500 pieds à l’hectare
Wine average age : 25 ans
Grape variety : Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon
Pruning type : Double guyot with debudding.
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Fermentation : In stainless-steel temperature controlled tanks with patented cap-breaking system.
Fermentation temperature : 28 to 30°C
Malolactic : Yes
Wine maturing : For 12 months in oak barrels (40% new) with racking.
Wine montage : Eggwhites
Maturing potential : Subject to vintage, expressive after 3 to 5 years, can age 10 to 15 years.
Maître de chai : Jean Marc COMTE
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Œnologist Consultant : Michel ROLLAND and Mikaël LAIZET.