Château Margaux 2014, First Growth Bordeaux.

The 2014 is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot; the only Merlot to make the cut came from the estate's prized l'Eglise plot, and just 36% of the harvest went into the grand vin. August was one of the coolest in recent memory and slowed ripening, but a sunny, dry September rescued the vintage, and the reds were picked in ideal conditions from September 29 to October 10. Paul Pontallier noted that the cool August kept acidity slightly higher than usual, balanced by abundant ripe tannin. Jeb Dunnuck (95 points) calls it "a regal, classy, and nuanced beauty" that shows the elegant style of the vintage brilliantly. Neal Martin, writing for The Wine Advocate (95 points), sets the drinking window at 2024 to 2050, so it is now opening into its prime. 13.5% ABV, 750ml.