2014 Petit Bocq
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Touch of reduction but this gives flinty rather than rubber aromatics and is appealing. As it opens, a brambled autumnal fruit feel appears, touches of undergrowth along with gourmet-dipped liqourice and clove spice, touch of rust on the finish. 48hl/h yield, harvest September 25 to October 18, 90% gravel soils, 10% sand and limestone. Owner Lagneaux-Blaton.
Critic scores
Average Score
Decanter
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
50% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet with black core. Lots of oak spice and some toasty notes on the nose. Does smell very oaky. On the palate, much better than I expected. There’s oak flavour there but also dark fruit and the tannins are smooth and resolved. Not much charm but it does have reasonable balance. (JH)
The 2014 Petit Bocq had a rather animally, savory nose, perhaps with just a touch of brettanomyces (though nothing too serious). The palate is soft and smudged on the entry with grippy, savory, meaty red fruit, but it feels far too dry on the tapered finish. I would be cautious about the aging potential of this. Tasted September 2016.
50% Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot. 14 months in barrique. Marked oaky aroma of sweet spice and light char, toasty. Toasty char on the palate too, with thick tannins. You'd have to like overt oak to enjoy this but the fruit and acidity underneath are well balanced, though it finishes a bit too dry. Maybe the oak will recede. I hope so. (JH)