2014 Chateau d'Aurilhac Haut-Medoc

Chateau d’Aurilhac is characterized above all by its almost unbeatable price-enjoyment ratio. Here you can get a first-class handcrafted Haut-Mèdoc for less than 15 €, which puts some much more expensive wines in the shade. The Dutchman Eric Nieuwaal, who has owned the chateau since 1983, is responsible for this wine. Around 50% new barriques are used every year, a very high rate for a wine of this class, because that is of course also expensive. The 20 hectares of vineyards are planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and small parts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

The 2014 vintage has an unusually high proportion of Merlot at 49%, Cabernet Sauvignon 46% and Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot 2.5% each. In the scent there are aromas of cedar wood, dark berries, cassis and cherries. The Merlot makes this rather classic vintage nice and juicy, but in the long finale it also shows a lot of bite and a good extract. It has now (2020) reached its first drinking maturity and can be drunk with great pleasure over the next 10-15 years.