With Hart and the crew at YakiniQuest

What a surprisingly pleasurable little bugger. This 2014 bottling did not have lots going for it. I looove the 2014 vintage in general, but it’s one that’s generally very unloved. The Brane Cantenac of this vintage also had pretty mediocre ratings. But let me tell you: ignore the ratings. This was delicious.

This was slow oxed over 4+ hours.

In the glass: bright rugby. Mid bodied.

On the nose: fresh off the bottle, this showed a lot more age than you would have expected for a 2014. This rich tertiary funk of barnyard and old tobacco. Even then, there was this good intensity of violets, sweet red plums, and blackcurrant. Touch of oak species. This was a very pretty nose, with depth and complexity. The tertiary funk does blow out with time, and the tobacco and cedar emerges with air.

On the palate: mid+ acidity, with a good intensity of fruits. Contrary to most reviews: while the wine retains good structure, the tannins have really resolved. Mid+ length.

Perhaps the reviews are out dated, but I thought this 2014 just entered a glorious drinking window. It has the concentration, acidity and structure to go on for quite a bit. What a stunner.