The 2014 Grand-Pontet showed well in barrel. Now that the wine is in barrel, the aromatics did feel a little pinched at first, necessitating rigorous swirling of the glass to eke out blackcurrant, bilberry and cedar aromas. There is a distant estuarine accent that manifests with time, almost rending it Margaux-like in style. The palate is very well balanced and packed full of plenty of fruit. There is a "solid" nature to this Saint Emilion, quite firm in the mouth while depriving it of harmony and focus. Give this two or three years in bottle and it should turn into the excellent 2014 that I predicted from barrel. - Neal Martin