Ooh, collectors and connoisseurs! Hold your hats! Today’s WIA is Bordeaux of the Year!

The reasons are obvious:

• Made by Angélus winemaker
• Owned by Cheval Blanc ex-proprietor
• Neighbored by Figeac
• Designated a Grand Cru
• Winery library provenance
• Raving reviews
• Under $40 with over HALF OFF!

Our fave Bordeaux find of the year, classically minded, traditionally made, silky smooth St.-Émilion.

Neighboring Figeac’s 2014 goes for $200 and up. Double that to get an idea of Angélus’ going rate. And the 2014 Cheval Blanc? Don’t ask. If you must, double that again, no joke.

Dominique Hébrard co-owned and operated Château Cheval Blanc, the pearl of the Right Bank from 1991 until 1999 when it was sold to LVMH. The following year he bought Trianon to bring this 17th-century Château, once the residence of King Louis the 14th’s Chancellor, back to its glory days. The one man he saw fit for the job was the co-owner and winemaking consultant of Château Angélus, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest - and the dynamic duo got to work. The result is in our glasses…

Lucid ruby, with a redolent perfume of steeped cherries, boysenberry, and Tahitian vanilla. It unfolds in layers of rum raisin, milk chocolate, and clove-studded orange peel, throughout the velvety mouthfeel that embraces the palate with powdery fine tannins. Supple, opulent, and stylish, this juicy beauty begs for rich fare!

So, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate was right, “2014 Bordeaux is a very good to excellent vintage” adding that “The leitmotifs of 2014 are freshness, terroir expression, an erring towards red rather than black fruit, crisp and occasionally quite edgy tannins and vivacity. These are wines destined to sing in the wine glass, wines less concerned with impressing critics like me, more intent in pleasing consumers like you (and me).”

And me, and you, repeat until it’s SOLD OUT.

92 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“The 2014 Trianon is a dark, powerful Saint-Émilion. Ripe dark cherry, sweet spice and copious French oak are some of the signatures. Although not especially complex, the 2014 will drink well pretty upon release because of its soft contours and lovely balance. Drink 2018-2026.”

91 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“The 2014 Trianon put in a creditable performance out of barrel. Now in bottle, it continues to show well. It has a perfumed bouquet of red cherries, pomegranate and cranberry interlaced with subtle blood orange scents. The palate is medium-bodied, perhaps just a little pinched on the entry, with firm but fine tannin and a splash of balsamic towards the structured finish. Drink 2019-2032.”