2014 Cambon la Pelouse (Haut Medoc)

The 2014 Cambon La Pelouse has turned out beautifully. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, tobacco, spice, bittersweet chocolate and leather give the 2014 its opulent, seamless feel. This is a gorgeous everyday wine from Cambon La Pelouse and consulting winemaker Hubert de Boüard. Tasted two times.

The 2014 Cambon la Pelouse is showing better on the nose in bottle than in barrel with plenty of redcurrant and blackberry fruit, a touch of espresso just in the background. The palate, however, is overoaked on the entry and although it maintains balance, it loses a little personality. There is decent weight here, but it needs more finesse and sophistication. Tasted September 2016.

49% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 12-15 months in barrel. Deep crimson. Sweetly woody on the nose, cassis and dark plum fruit. More savoury on the palate with a hint of char, giving a sense of complexity and restraint even though it is quite powerful. Chewy but fresh, persistent too. (JH)