Critic tasting note by Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast: "This Despagne family wine is fresh, packed with delicious lemon flavours and hints of a creamy texture. It is ready to drink." In addition, we think the wine is nicely green and flinty, reflecting the 100% straight Sauvignon Blanc from Entre Deux Mers, as well as a nice balance of stone(peach) and spices. An excellent summer drink, this bottle is of great value because 100% Sauvignon Blanc fetches typically a slightly higher price at this level. DD91, also Vivino 3.8.
We have not re-tasted 2014 since 2021. So we will keep our observations as follows.
2014 gives classic aromas of underbrush, truffle, dark-skinned berry, and tobacco lead the nose of this elegantly structured red. Acidity is taut, offering a vibrant palate of cherry, cranberry, orange zest and liquorice. The fruit profile is similar to 2011 and 2013 that of rosebud, hints of liquorice and classic sour cherry, berries and new leather manifesting after some swirlings a muscular strength from dark fruit. The first sip of 2014 releases the impetuous tannins of a young Sangiovese, and a high concentration confirms wine of strength and vigour, which are indicators of ageing ability. It is, nonetheless, delicate, elegant and compact in the finish. It starts drinking fine now and probably best starting from next year.(sic, in 2022). It should start drinking fine now.
We also will stand by our earlier report on the earlier comparison across 2011,2012,2013, 2014, and 2016 vintages.
We would accord leading tastings(edited) on the bottle as follows:
94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Il Poggione has one of the appellation's most enviable track records for quality and cellar longevity. The 2014 Brunello di Montalcino is a different beast. This wine prizes elegance, finesse and a compact mouthfeel. I would suggest a slightly shorter drinking window of approximately ten years. No matter how you cut it, the wine is beautiful and ranks high on a list of favourite wines from the vintage. The bouquet is chiselled and tight with wild blueberry, plum, red rose and a touch of cherry confit. The mouthfeel is undoubtedly thinner in this vintage, but the wine has plenty more to keep your attention. I like it. I returned to the bottle a few days after it had been opened, and the wine was still going strong. (ML) (1/2019)
93 points Jeb Dunnuck
The 2014 Brunello Di Montalcino (36 months in French oak) is a beautiful wine from a difficult vintage. Spiced cherries, dried herbs, underbrush, and sappy flower/rose petal notes emerge from the glass, and it's supple, medium-bodied, silky, and seamless on the palate, with ripe tannins and a bold, already delicious style. (11/2019)
92 points Vinous
Red plum, apple, and tobacco aromas are delightfully complemented in the mouth by alkaline and mineral nuances. saliva-inducing salinity adds to the appeal of a lusciously persistent finish featuring repeating red fruit and herbal nuances. Another easygoing, rather stylish but lightweight Brunello typical of the vintage. (IA) (3/2019)
92 points Wine Spectator
This is smooth and caressing, wrapped around cherry, plum, loam, tobacco and cumin flavours. Hefty tannins line the finish, but all the elements are in the right proportion. Features a fine, complex finish. (BS) (6/2019)
Deep ruby. Ripe, fresh, pure black fruit(plums, blackberry) with the full spectrum of secondary(tobacco, vanilla) and tertiary(leathery, smoke) tones. Intense for the class. Bodied and rich for a Cotes de Castillon with ABV14% still balanced. A modern, 'tephan von Neipperg' style.
Making is new as well. Cold soaked for five days(hence the structure and acidities), with thirty days of Stainless steel fermentation and fruit unmasked. New barrels ageing for 12 months; therefore, the spicy, aromatic, modern style with structure and adequate length. Mostly earlier picking to give freshness.
The 46-hectare vineyard of Chateau Cap de Faugeres is planted to 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, typical of that part of the Right Bank. The vineyard has a vine density of 6,000 vines per hectare. On average, the vines are 30 years of, but some vines are older, at close to 50 years of age. The terroir is limestone and clay soils.
Down-to-earth comments are as follows:
WS91
Wine Spectator
Features a solid core of plum, licorice and sweet toast. A direct style.
RP91
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
IThe 2018 Cap de Faugères is composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon; harvest began on September 22. Deep garnet-purple coloured, it opens with intense scents of preserved plums, kirsch, chocolate box and menthol with hints of woodsmoke and Indian spices. Full-bodied, rich and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, the palate has a velvety texture and plenty of red fruit sparks of freshness, finishing spicy.
