A Parisian journey through St Emilion
It’s that time of the month again, time for the regular OECD macroeconomists’ wine tasting club meeting.
Thanks to Peter’s managerial dynamism, Bob’s excellent wine choices and Doug’s generous hosting, we had another great tasting. It was also the occasion to welcome back to the group our Danish friend, Jens Lundsgaard.
St Emilion was the order of the day. Below are some tasting notes thanks to Bob.
The club is looking forward to its 40th anniversary tasting in December 2022.:
– Chateau Figeac St Emilion 1er GCC (A) 2014.
This is composed of 40% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 28% Cabernet Franc. The 2014 Figeac is shaping up to be a real jewel of a wine. Powerful and structured, with plenty of tannic spine, it won’t start hitting its stride for at least a few years. Even today, though, it is impressive for its energy and overall intensity. Plum, smoke, spice, graphite and leather build into the huge, expressive finish.
– Chateau Canon St Emilion 1er GCC (B) 2014
This made up of 72% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc. It has an intense bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, briary and light tobacco scents, gradually gaining more precision with aeration yet remaining classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, harmonious and poised with a structured yet precise finish that is pure class.
– Clos Fourtet St Emilion 1er GCC (B) 2014
The blend is 89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. A stunning, breathtaking wine, the 2014 Clos Fourtet is without question one of the stars of the vintage. Deep yet also wonderfully nuanced, it exudes energy and transparency. Enticing scents of violet, lavender, mint and chalk add to the wine’s chiseled personality.
– Chateau Pavie Macquin St Emilion 1er GCC (B) 2014
The composition is Merlot (84%) Cabernet Franc (18%) and Cabernet sauvignons (2%), The purity and clarity to the nose of this wine are really exceptional with crushed berries, cherries and currants. Fruit and density are so impressive, yet this is so linear on the center palate, which gives it direction and focus. Fabulous.
– Chateau Beauséjour Duffau Lagarrosse St Emilion 1er GCC (B) 2014
Made from close to 100% Merlot (there’s a splash of Cabernet Franc). An utterly spellbinding wine, the 2014 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is also one of the unqualified successes of the vintage. Beams of tannin give the 2014 its ample, broad feel. Inky red cherry, blueberry, smoke, leather and tobacco fill out the wine’s big frame effortlessly. Layers of intense fruit meld into a huge spine of tannin in a vertical, massively structured Saint-Émilion. So many 2014s are charming and accessible, but this is not one of them.
What better way to finish the day than with a German Golden Spiral Ice Wine.