The 2014 vintage was generally satisfactory in several wine regions, although weather conditions varied from one area to another. Here is a detailed overview of the best regions in 2014 and the wines to buy.
Burgundy 2014: A Very Good Vintage
In Burgundy, the 2014 vintage was generally very good, with high-quality red wines, especially in Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. The wines are elegant, balanced, and feature red fruit aromas and good aging potential. The white wines from the Côte de Beaune are particularly remarkable, with beautiful acidity and great finesse. Best Wines:
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits)
Domaine Leflaive (Puligny-Montrachet)
Domaine Armand Rousseau (Gevrey-Chambertin)
To Buy: The red wines from Côte de Nuits and the white wines from Puligny-Montrachet for their longevity.
Rhône Valley 2014: A Very Beautiful Year
The 2014 vintage was particularly successful for the Rhône Valley, especially for Côtes du Rhône Villages and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where balance and finesse are present. The Côtes-Rôties and Hermitage are also wines to watch, offering aromas of black fruits, spices, and licorice. Best Wines:
Château de Beaucastel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Guigal (Côte-Rôtie)
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave (Hermitage)
To Buy: The Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes-Rôties for interesting aging potential.
Piedmont (Italy) 2014: A Classic Vintage
2014 was a good year for Piedmont, producing balanced Barolos and Barbarescos. The wines are fresh, elegant, with beautiful acidity and interesting aging potential. Best Wines:
Gaja (Barbaresco)
Vietti (Barolo)
Cavallotto (Barolo)
To Buy: The Barolos from Gaja and Vietti for their complexity and aging potential.
California 2014: Solid but Variable Vintage
The 2014 vintage in California was generally solid, but with variations depending on the regions. The Cabernets Sauvignon from Napa Valley were successful, offering structured and concentrated wines, while the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the Sonoma Coast showed good balance and great elegance. Best Wines:
Opus One (Napa Valley)
Robert Mondavi (Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon)
Kistler (Sonoma Coast Chardonnay)
To Buy: The Cabernets Sauvignon and Pinot Noirs from Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast for their aging potential.
Champagne 2014: Medium Quality Vintage
The 2014 vintage in Champagne was somewhat behind compared to other years, due to difficult weather conditions. However, some producers managed to produce balanced champagnes with good freshness and marked acidity. Best Wines:
Dom Pérignon (Vintage Champagne)
Krug (Vintage Champagne)
To Buy: The vintage wines from houses like Dom Pérignon and Krug, which offer good aging prospects.
Bordeaux 2014: A Correct but Uneven Vintage
The 2014 vintage in Bordeaux was affected by difficult weather conditions. However, châteaux like those from Médoc and Saint-Émilion managed to produce interesting wines, with beautiful structure, but without the concentration of exceptional years. Best Wines:
Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac)
Château Cheval Blanc (Saint-Émilion)
To Buy: The great crus from Pauillac and Saint-Émilion for their medium-term potential.
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