Chateau Latour Martillac 2014

JAMES SUCKLING: "The cassis, dried-cranberry and herbal nose has some real complexity. Very expressive on the palate with great balance of crisp acidity, tannins and lively fruit. A joyful wine!"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2014 Latour-Martillac has an attractive bouquet with intense blackberry, briary, warm gravel and balsamic notes that are very well defined and evoke Pessac-Léognan through and through. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, ripe tannin. It feels gentle in the mouth, not structured but fleshy and full, fanning out with crushed strawberry, red cherry and white pepper towards the satisfying finish. This is early drinking compared to its peers, yet well crafted. Could it have striven for more? Yes, probably."

WEINWISSER: "Aufhellendes Granat mit mittlerer Dichte, feiner Rand. Angenehmes Kirschenbouquet mit einem Hauch von schwarzer Frucht, dunkle Edelhölzer und Kaffee. Sehr angenehm im Gaumen, zeigt gewisse Muskeln, diese passen glücklicherweise auch zur generellen Adstringenz, also ist dieser Wein – im Gegensatz zu nicht wenigen Léognan-Konkurrenten – sehr gut vinifiziert. Sehr guter Wert."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Ripe and focused, with layers of plum paste, raspberry coulis and macerated bitter cherry driving along, backed by anise and iron notes on the finish. Has a slightly taut edge, so cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2018 through 2026. 10,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2014 Chateau Latour-Marillac offers a beautiful, classic Graves character with its telltale smoked earth, cigar, tobacco, and ripe currant fruits. With none of the rusticity found in the 2015, medium-bodied richness, impressive purity and an elegant, layered, ripe personality, it’s a terrific Pessac to drink anytime over the coming 15-20 years."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This selection from parcels of young vines is now mature, open and ripe. Tannins give shape to the secondary flavors of the fruits, with a fine edge of juiciness at the end."