2014 Puygueraud

The 2014 Puygueraud felt disjointed and a little green on the nose. The palate is balanced but a little hard for the vintage with an attenuated finish. This feels overladen by the oak at the moment and I worry that there is enough fruit to balance it out.

The 2014 Puygueraud is a bit rustic and rough around the edges. There is good depth to the dark cherry, leather ad spice notes, but a hint of reduction, which is uncommon in Bordeaux reds, masks some of the fruit. Approximately 50% of the wine was aged in steel and cement tanks, which likely explains the somewhat reductive character (the other 50% was aged in oak). It will be interesting to see if some of that reduction dissipates with more time in bottle. For now, though, I have my doubts. The blend is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.

The 2014 Puygueraud is a bit wild and rough around the edges, but it also possesses notable personality. Here the significant presence of Cabernet Franc and Malbec adds notable complexity. Sweet herbs, tobacco, game, mint and black cherries flow through to the tense, vibrant finish. The 2014 is going to need a few years to fully come together, but it is delicious. The blend is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.