2014

Best Wines of 2014: Which Wines to Buy in 2014?

The 2014 vintage was generally satisfactory in several wine regions, although the climatic conditions varied from one area to another. Here's a detailed look at 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, particularly from the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. The wines are elegant, balanced, and have red fruit aromas along with good aging potential. The white wines from the Côte de Beaune are especially 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: Red wines from the Côte de Nuits and white wines from Puligny-Montrachet for their longevity.

Rhône Valley 2014: A Very Fine 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 were prominent. 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: Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côte-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 good acidity and interesting aging potential.

Best Wines:

• Gaja (Barbaresco)
• Vietti (Barolo)
• Cavallotto (Barolo)

To Buy: 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 region. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons performed well, offering structured and concentrated wines, while Sonoma Coast Pinots Noirs and Chardonnays showed good balance and elegance.

Best Wines:

• Opus One (Napa Valley)
• Robert Mondavi (Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon)
• Kistler (Sonoma Coast Chardonnay)

To Buy: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons and Sonoma Coast Pinots Noirs for their aging potential.

Champagne 2014: A Vintage of Average Quality

The 2014 vintage in Champagne was somewhat weaker compared to other years due to difficult climatic conditions. However, some producers succeeded in creating balanced Champagnes with good freshness and marked acidity.

Best Wines:

• Dom Pérignon (Champagne Millésimé)
• Krug (Champagne Millésimé)

To Buy: Vintage wines from houses like Dom Pérignon and Krug, which offer good aging potential.

Bordeaux 2014: A Fair but Uneven Vintage

The 2014 vintage in Bordeaux was affected by challenging climatic conditions. However, estates in the Médoc and Saint-Émilion were able to produce interesting wines with good structure, though lacking the concentration of exceptional years.

Best Wines:

• Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac)
• Château Cheval Blanc (Saint-Émilion)

To Buy: Grand crus from Pauillac and Saint-Émilion for their medium-term aging potential.