2014
A year of balance and classicism — 2014 wines often reflect the quiet precision of a vintage that avoided extremes, delivering harmony, freshness, and subtle complexity across many regions.
🗓️ Historic Moments
🌍 Climate Accord milestone – U.S. and China announce landmark emissions deal
📱 Apple Watch debuts – Wearable tech enters the mainstream
🎬 "Boyhood" stuns critics – 12-year film project hits theaters
🇷🇺 Crimea annexed by Russia – Sparks international tensions
🌊 California drought intensifies – Worst dry spell in over 1,200 years
👩🚀 Rosetta lands on a comet – Historic ESA space achievement
🏈 Seahawks dominate Super Bowl XLVIII – 43–8 victory over Broncos
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 70–82°F (21–28°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A cool summer followed by a warm, dry September saved the vintage.
Challenges/Highlights: Uneven flowering, mildew pressure, late ripening – but Indian summer rescued quality.
Harvest Window: Mid-September to mid-October
Reception & Scores: Classic, structured wines praised for balance and freshness
Aging Potential: Moderate to long-term aging for top Left Bank reds
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 68–80°F (20–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hail again hit parts of the Côte de Beaune; otherwise a fine, steady growing season.
Challenges/Highlights: Hail in Volnay and Pommard reduced yields; clean fruit elsewhere.
Harvest Window: Mid-September
Reception & Scores: Whites especially praised – vibrant and precise; reds elegant and aromatic
Aging Potential: Whites aging beautifully; reds for medium-term cellaring
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs in the south; 72–85°F (22–29°C) in the north
Weather Summary: A wet, cooler-than-average year in the Southern Rhône; Northern Rhône fared better.
Challenges/Highlights: Mildew and rot in the south; more consistent in the north
Harvest Window: Late September into October
Reception & Scores: Mixed; Northern Rhône Syrah outshone the Grenache-based wines of the south
Aging Potential: Drink sooner in the south; age-worthy in the north
🇫🇷 Champagne (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–75°F (18–24°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild, wet early season followed by a dry, warm August and September
Challenges/Highlights: Large crop, solid ripeness, good acidity
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September
Reception & Scores: Fresh, lively base wines with great aging prospects
Aging Potential: Excellent potential for vintage bottlings
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 70–83°F (21–28°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool and rainy summer with a dry, sunny autumn
Challenges/Highlights: Disease pressure early; saved by perfect late-season weather
Harvest Window: Mid-October
Reception & Scores: Light, fragrant, classic-styled Barolo for purists
Aging Potential: Medium to long-term for structured crus
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: One of the rainiest vintages in decades
Challenges/Highlights: Low yields, rot pressure, sorting essential
Harvest Window: Late September through October
Reception & Scores: Patchy – some fresh, bright wines but overall less consistent
Aging Potential: Best producers will age well; others for near-term drinking
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A cooler year with slow ripening and excellent phenolic balance
Challenges/Highlights: Some spring rains, but dry harvest conditions
Harvest Window: Late September to mid-October
Reception & Scores: Structured, balanced, elegant wines with strong aromatics
Aging Potential: Long aging potential, especially from top producers
🇩🇪 Mosel (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–77°F (18–25°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm spring and summer with a very wet September
Challenges/Highlights: Botrytis spread quickly; strict selection necessary
Harvest Window: October
Reception & Scores: Mixed; clean, vibrant Kabinetts and Spätlesen shine
Aging Potential: Best wines offer mid-term cellaring potential
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 80–95°F (27–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Third year of drought, but ideal growing conditions overall
Challenges/Highlights: Early budbreak, small berries, concentrated fruit
Harvest Window: August to mid-September
Reception & Scores: Outstanding vintage; ripe, structured, cellar-worthy reds
Aging Potential: Excellent long-term aging for top Cabernet Sauvignon
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool-to-Warm Mediterranean | 72–88°F (22–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Dry year with consistent heat and early harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Drought stress helped concentrate flavors
Harvest Window: August to mid-September
Reception & Scores: Excellent across varieties – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel
Aging Potential: Strong cellar potential, especially for Pinot and Chard
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Maritime | 70–85°F (21–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, dry, and sunny – one of Oregon’s best vintages to date
Challenges/Highlights: No major disease pressure; ideal ripeness across AVAs
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September
Reception & Scores: Ripe, generous Pinots with balance and longevity
Aging Potential: Long aging potential for top bottlings
🇺🇸 Washington State (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 75–92°F (24–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Another hot, dry year with early budbreak and harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Perfectly ripe fruit with structure and depth
Harvest Window: August to early October
Reception & Scores: Benchmark year for bold, age-worthy reds
Aging Potential: Excellent – top Cabs, Syrahs, and blends will age gracefully
🇦🇺 Barossa Valley & Margaret River (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Barossa ⎯ Hot Mediterranean | 85–100°F (29–38°C) avg daytime highs
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Margaret River ⎯ Moderate Maritime | 72–85°F (22–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild and dry in Barossa; cooler, longer season in Margaret River
Challenges/Highlights: Low yields, high quality
Harvest Window: February to April
Reception & Scores: Barossa: dense and ripe; Margaret River: elegant and vibrant
Aging Potential: Strong aging potential in both regions
🇿🇦 South Africa (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Challenging with late rains and disease pressure
Challenges/Highlights: Careful vineyard and cellar work essential
Harvest Window: February to March
Reception & Scores: Uneven; fresh whites and elegant reds from skilled producers
Aging Potential: Drink earlier unless from top wineries
🇦🇷 Argentina - Mendoza (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Arid Continental | 80–95°F (27–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cooler vintage with slower ripening and rain challenges
Challenges/Highlights: Hail and rot reduced yields in some zones
Harvest Window: March to April
Reception & Scores: More restrained style; elegant Malbecs
Aging Potential: Medium-term aging
🇨🇱 Chile - Maipo Valley & Casablanca (2014)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 72–88°F (22–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Ideal conditions in Maipo; cool-climate finesse in Casablanca
Challenges/Highlights: Even ripening and good harvest weather
Harvest Window: March to April
Reception & Scores: Excellent Cabernets and white wines
Aging Potential: Long aging for Maipo Cabs; fresh style for whites
