Following a particularly busy April of press tastings at Château Belgrave, the English speaking journalists were among the first to publish their comments on the Dourthe 2014 wines on-line. The positive feedback on our wines reflects the hard work put in by the teams in our properties. Here’s a sneak peek:
Château Belgrave – Grand Cru Classé Haut-Médoc

91-92 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com
« Full and very chewy. A powerful and rich sample. Best ever? “
92/100 Roger Voss- The Wine Enthusiast
“This is a structured, yet fruity wine…”
16,75/20 de Steven Spurrier- Decanter
“Masses of ripe fruit, good plummy richness and firm tannins for the future. Fine Modern Medoc”.
Neal Martin – The Wine Advocate
“ … a boatload of blackberry and wild strawberry fruit on the nose…”
17+/20 Matthew Jukes – Bordeaux En Primeur Vintage report 2014
Château Belgrave part of “My ten best value red wines in 2014- a selection of superb wines which should represent great value”.
89-92 Antonio Galloni- Vinous
“…A wine of notable density, the Belgrave is super –expressive today with more than enough fruit and midpalate sweetness to stand up to the tannins…”
Château Le Boscq – Saint Estèphe
91-93 Neal Martin- The Wine Advocate :
« … What a superb Saint Estèphe ! Tasted twice with consistent notes. The dark horse of the appellation? “
16.5+/20 Jancis Robinson –Jancisrobinson.com :
“…Lots of fruit concentration. Round and Racy. Polished and very well made. Really lovely relatively early drink.”
89-92 James Molesworth– Wine Spectator :
“ A fleshy, toasty style in the making, with an espresso note melding into the core blackberry and cassis fruit…”
16,5+/20 Matthew Jukes – Bordeaux En Primeur Vintage report 2014 :
“…this is one of the star wines in the affordable spectrum in this vintage.”
93/100 Roger Voss– The Wine Enthusiast :
“Smoky tannins are complex and well embedded into the dark plum aromas and flavors in this wine…”
88-90Antonio Galloni– Vinous:
” …the 2014 is absolutely delicious and full of personality…”
Château La Garde- Pessac Leognan Red
89-91 James Molesworth- Wine Spectator :
« this has a good mix of black cherry and cassis flavors, with a tarry spine giving the finish energy… »
91 Roger Voss– The Wine Enthusiast :
“ This is a firmly tannic wine, packed with blackberry fruits and acidity. It is developing well and will be a wine to drink in the medium term.”
88-91 Antonio Galloni- Vinous :
“…There is a lot to like here. Best of all, the 2014 should be a terrific value.”
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson-Jancisrobinson.com :
“…Rather luscious fruit with energy. Good Balance. Not heavy but with the oak and young fruit well synchronized.”
Château La Garde – Pessac-Leognan White
91-92 James Suckling- jamessuckling.com :
“Fresh and tangy with lots of minerals and dried lemon peel. Full bodied, direct and racy. Shows excellent potential.”
17/20 Jane Anson– Decanter :
“…this has lovely definition and lift, with a much-needed addition of stone fruits and apricots care of a touch of Sauvignon Gris…”
89-92 James Molesworth– Wine Spectator :
“…very pure.
88-90 Neal Martin- The Wine Advocate :
“…There is a good depth and vigour here- a fine Graves blanc in prospect.”
Château Grand-Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac- Saint Emilion Grand Cru
16/20 James Lawther MW–Decanter :
“Attractive red fruit flavour. Hint of integrated oak. Supple texture. Well-handled tannins.”
91 Roger Voss– The Wine Enthusiast :
“…this estate has produced an attractive wine. It’s fresh, with bright acidity alongside crisp blackcurrants and ripe plums.”
16/20 Matthew Jukes – Bordeaux En Primeur Vintage report 2014 :
“…Perfectly balanced and not too challenging, this is a sleek, balanced, forward wine …”
Château Rahoul Graves
16.75/20 Jane Anson– Decanter :
« Rich round fruit on the nose, spicy plum, gourmet touches of oak, fairly charged impact on the attack…tannins that are chewy and front-of- mouth…”
89-90 James Suckling- jamessuckling.com :
“… Best Rahoul in years.”
88-91 James Molesworth- Wine Spectator :
“…Fresh and nicely rendered.”
These extracts are an introduction to the major upcoming European and French publications.