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Search Flickinger Wine Inventory
Inventory updated: Sat, Oct 25, 2025 11:02 AM cst
Your search criteria:
Regions: Bordeaux Red
Vintages: Between 2012 and 2012
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Angelus |
2012 |
St. Emilion (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,198.99 |
1 |
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| Ch. Ausone |
2012 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML) 
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,247.97 |
1 |
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WA 96 (1/2016): Tasted blind at the 2012 Southwold tasting, the 2012 Ausone took more time to settle in the glass than its peers, eventually deciding upon briary, violet and cassis scents—very floral and Margaux-like in style, not powerful but insistent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a crisp line of acidity, blackcurrant pastille mixed with cedar and a dash of spice, the wine finally revving up towards an intense and persistent finish that almost stains the mouth with its opulence. It is a gorgeous Saint Emilion from Pauline and Alain Vauthier. Tasted January 2016.
VM 95+ (1/2016): One of the wines of the vintage, the 2012 Ausone boasts gorgeous depth, aromatic intensity and overall balance. Dark red stone fruits, menthol, licorice, smoke and savory herbs flesh out as this layered, seductive Saint-Emilion shows off its pure pedigree and class. Further time in bottle should allow the 2012 to flesh out even more, but it is pretty special today. I remember tasting the 2012 straight from barrel with Alain Vauthier in the spring of 2013. The bottled, finished wine is every bit as special. The blend is 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Antonio Galloni.
JS 98 (2/2015): Wild aromas of mint, spearmint, cool chalk and dark fruits. Full-bodied, tight, linear and incredibly long with a evening-stone, blueberry, cherry and mineral undertone. Crisp and extremely persistent. Iodine and oyster shell here to round it all off. Better in 2018. |
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|
2012 |
St. Emilion (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,803.98 |
1 |
|
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WA 96 (1/2016): Tasted blind at the 2012 Southwold tasting, the 2012 Ausone took more time to settle in the glass than its peers, eventually deciding upon briary, violet and cassis scents—very floral and Margaux-like in style, not powerful but insistent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a crisp line of acidity, blackcurrant pastille mixed with cedar and a dash of spice, the wine finally revving up towards an intense and persistent finish that almost stains the mouth with its opulence. It is a gorgeous Saint Emilion from Pauline and Alain Vauthier. Tasted January 2016.
VM 95+ (1/2016): One of the wines of the vintage, the 2012 Ausone boasts gorgeous depth, aromatic intensity and overall balance. Dark red stone fruits, menthol, licorice, smoke and savory herbs flesh out as this layered, seductive Saint-Emilion shows off its pure pedigree and class. Further time in bottle should allow the 2012 to flesh out even more, but it is pretty special today. I remember tasting the 2012 straight from barrel with Alain Vauthier in the spring of 2013. The bottled, finished wine is every bit as special. The blend is 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Antonio Galloni.
JS 98 (2/2015): Wild aromas of mint, spearmint, cool chalk and dark fruits. Full-bodied, tight, linear and incredibly long with a evening-stone, blueberry, cherry and mineral undertone. Crisp and extremely persistent. Iodine and oyster shell here to round it all off. Better in 2018. |
|
| Ch. Beausejour (J. Duffau-Lagarosse) |
2012 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$652.97 |
1 |
|
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VM 96 (1/2016): The 2012 Beausejour Heritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is simply magnificent. Succulent black cherries, hard candy, savory herbs, smoke, licorice and tobacco all burst from the glass in a rich, voluptuous, concentrated wine. The tannins are there, but they are nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the fruit. Grilled herbs, smoke, cedar and tobacco meld into the explosive, resonant finish. The 2012 is 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc that spent 16-18 months in French oak, 75% new. There are a number of talented people who work on the Beausejour wines, including Nicolas Thienpont, David Suire, Stephane Derenoncourt and Julien Lavenu, but the most important thing is the terroir. And it is world class. Vivid and beautifully sculpted throughout, the 2012 has closed down since I last tasted it, about four months ago. There is little doubt it is one of the wines of the vintage. Don't miss it! Antonio Galloni.
JS 95 (2/2015): This is really sexy and polished with ultra-fine tannins, dark fruit, dark mushrooms, berries and dried strawberries. Wonderful. Better in 2019.
WS 94 (3/2015): Quite ripe, with unctuous plum sauce and warmed fig fruit. A solid graphite spine gives this definition and drive, while smoldering tobacco and anise notes fill in the finish. The gorgeous echo of boysenberry at the very end bodes well for the cellar. Best from 2017 through 2030. 1,375 cases made.
NM 93 (1/2016): Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Beausejour Duffau Lagarosse has a dense, slightly broody but well-defined bouquet with scents of blackberry, cedar and tobacco, lending it a Left Bank-like personality. In fact, I found this reminiscent of (modern) Château Figeac! The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-judged acidity, structured and a little masculine, but don't worry, there is sufficient fruit here to please any Saint Emilion lover. The finish is harmonious and refined. A bright future lies ahead. |
|
| Ch. Belair-Monange |
2012 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$693.98 |
1 |
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| WA 95+ (4/2015): With some of the oldest vines in all of Bordeaux, especially one parcel from 1905, Belair Monange’s 2012 (14.5% alcohol) is a tribute to this great terroir that was poorly managed and exploited prior to the family of Jean-Pierre Moueix taking over. Now it is Christian Moueix and his son Edouard who manage the property and produce the wine. The 2012 is a beauty, with a deep ruby/purple color, complex notes of minerals, crushed rock, red and black fruits, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, great texture, long finish and true ability and character. It should age beautifully for 20 or more years and yet be drinkable another three or four. Production is small, as only 1,300 cases were produced. |
|
| Ch. Bellevue |
2012 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$852.97 |
2 |
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JS 93 (2/2015): A solid wine for the vintage with dark fruit, chocolate and spice character. Full body, integrated and pretty tannin structure and a long and polished finish. Very fine indeed.
VM 91 (1/2016): The 2012 Bellevue is a dark, inviting wine. Mocha, black cherries, leather and spice flesh out in a supple, open-knit Saint-Emilion. The 2012 is forward, mid-weight and gracious, all qualities that suggest it will offer its best drinking sooner rather than later. This is a strong showing from the Bellevue, which is now made under Hubert de Boüard's purview. Antonio Galloni.
WS 91 (3/2015): This is alluring, with a well-melded mix of plum sauce, melted licorice and raspberry coulis flavors, carried by polished tannins and flowing through a graphite-edged finish. Very solid, with latent grip. Should cellar well. Best from 2017 through 2023. 1,833 cases made.
WA 90+ (4/2015): Now owned by a partnership of the Boüard and Lavaux families, this famous estate, sitting on the limestone outcrops of St.-Emilion, has produced a dense ruby/purple wine with unmistakable minerality and a medium to full body. It has a nice attractive, juicy, concentrated palate, with a certain tightness and austerity from the minerality and high tannins, but overall it is very impressively made and built for long-term cellaring. Forget it for 3-4 years and drink it over the following two decades. The final blend, tipping the scales at 13.8%, was 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. |
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| Ch. Beychevelle |
2012 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,684.97 |
2 |
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2012 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$851.97 |
1 |
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| Ch. Branaire-Ducru |
2012 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$398.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 91 (2/2015): A clean and fresh wine with blueberry, mineral and floral character. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a crisp finish. This is a very refined and beautiful Branaire. Better in 2017.
WA 90 (4/2015): Deep ruby/purple, with sweet cranberry, mulberry and raspberry/blueberry fruit, this is always a distinctive St.-Julien and the 2012 has managed to avoid any of the hollowness or harsh tannins that can afflict some of the Medocs. It is elegant, well-made and an Outstanding effort in this vintage. Drink it over the next 15 or more years.
VM 90 (1/2016): The 2012 Brainaire-Ducru is a soft, forward but very pleasing Saint-Julien that is likely to offer its best drinking sooner rather than later. Sweet tobacco, wild flowers, mint and red-fleshed fruits find support in silky tannins that add to the wine's considerable appeal. The 2012 is a bit light, but all the elements are in the right place, which is a great credit to proprietor Patrick Maroteaux and his team. Antonio Galloni.
WS 90 (3/2015): Bay leaf and tobacco notes are backed by a core of damson plum, black cherry and red currant fruit. The bay leaf edge underlines the finish, with a hint of violet and a well-buried iron accent. An elegant expression of St.-Julien. Best from 2017 through 2024. 12,083 cases made. |
|
| Ch. Calon-Segur |
2012 |
St. Estephe (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$783.97 |
1 |
|
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| Ch. Canon |
2012 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,268.99 |
2 |
|
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JD 93+ (2/2018): The 2012 Canon is a rich, smoky, meaty 2012 that checks in as blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Ripe black cherries, melted licorice, chocolate, and a touch of scorched earth all emerge from this classic, structured effort that has terrific concentration, a pure, backward style, ripe tannin, and a great finish. It’s nowhere near ready for primetime (this wine didn’t start to open up until the second day after opening) and needs a solid 5-7 years of cellaring but will see its 30th birthday in fine form.
JS 93 (2/2015): A red with blueberry, blackberry and walnut character. Chocolate too. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. This is tight and dense. Extremely polished tannins and a long finish. Another 2001. Better in 2018.
WA 94 (3/2017): Tasted from several bottles in recent months, the 2012 Canon is a stupendous wine for the vintage and if anything, it appears to be improving with each encounter. It clearly serves up more than enough volume and fruit intensity on the nose compared to the impressive 2011 Canon: it is very pure with black cherries, wild strawberry, asphalt and blood orange. This is very well defined and beautifully focused. The palate is medium-bodied, silky smooth and with that thrilling sense of frisson. There is so much vivacity wound up inside this Saint Emilion that it would not surprise me if it turns out to be one of the very best in 2012. |
|
| Ch. Cantemerle |
2012 |
Haut Medoc (6.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$456.98 |
4 |
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| Ch. Cheval-Blanc |
2012 |
St. Emilion (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$6,347.97 |
3 |
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VM 97 (1/2016): The 2012 Cheval Blanc boasts stunning power and a vertical, imposing sense of structure that is quite rare in this vintage. Dark and almost brooding in style, the Cheval is a rare 2012 that absolutely demands cellaring. Smoke, tobacco, incense and dark spices open up with time, but the 2012 is a reticent, tannic wine that is only showing the barest hints of its ultimate potential. This is a magnificent showing and one of the clear highlights of the year. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96+ (6/2019): A step up over the 2011, the 2012 Chateau Cheval Blanc offers a similar medium to full-bodied, elegant style yet has slightly more freshness and purity. Smoked black fruits, cassis, tobacco leaf, and sappy flower notes all emerge from this thrillingly textured, balanced, focused 2012. It opens up with time in the glass, has ripe, sweet tannins, and it’s another one of those wines that offers pleasure today yet will cruise for decades. The final blend is the usual 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc. Readers should be happy to have bottles in their cellars.
WA 95+ (8/2018): Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Cheval Blanc reveals lovely cassis, warm black cherries and redcurrant jelly notions with underlying hints of cedar chest, garrigue, Indian spices and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, it possesses wonderful energy and freshness on the palate with a beautifully poised ethereal nature and long mineral-tinged finish. This elegantly crafted beauty should enter its drinking window in a couple of years and cellar gracefully for another 20+ years.
WS 95 (3/2015): This wine is gorgeous in all facets, offering a simultaneously loamy and creamy mouthfeel, seamless layers of red and black currant, cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruit, and a long, tobacco-fueled finish that features alluring hints of black tea and incense. The fruit and terroir shine in this broad, deep and defined style. Best from 2018 through 2030. 7,665 cases made.
JS 94 (2/2015): A Cheval Blanc with an impressive center palate of blueberries, chocolate, almonds and spices. Full body, a solid core of fruit and a long, long finish. Goes on for minutes. Beautiful wine. Seamless tannins. Needs a few years of bottle age. Better in 2017. |
|
| Domaine de Chevalier |
2012 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$818.99 |
1 |
|
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| Clarendelle |
2012 |
Bordeaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$461.97 |
2 |
|
| |
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| Ch. Clinet |
2012 |
Pomerol (3.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$534.98 |
2 |
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WA 95 (4/2015): With a dense purple color and gorgeous levels of fruit, especially black raspberry and blackcurrant, this full-bodied, opulent style of wine is another great success for Clinet, a château that has been on top of its game for the last decade. This is stunning stuff, and whatever new oak has been used – and there is plenty – it is totally disguised by the luxurious and extravagant fruit level. This full-bodied, opulent Pomerol should drink well for 15 or more years.
VM 95 (1/2016): A wine of total precision, the 2012 Clinet possesses striking aromatic nuance and delineation. Crushed flowers, sweet raspberries, herbs and mint flesh out effortlessly, with silky, polished tannins that add to the wine's feel of graciousness. The spherical, beautifully textured finish suggests the 2012 will offer a wide drinking window of pure pleasure over the next 15-20 years. This is impressive. The 2012 is 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc.
WS 93 (3/2015): Gorgeous plum cake, melted licorice and steeped currant and blackberry fruit is inlaid with notes of fruitcake and singed vanilla bean. Long and plush through the finish, with a buried charcoal spine that adds needed cut. Best from 2017 through 2027. 3,800 cases made.
JS 93 (2/2015): Fabulous nose of orange peel, blueberries and blackberries. Full body, firm tannins and a cocoa, cedar and berry finish. Little austere now but so fine. Truly Outstanding for the vintage. Better after 2016. |
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| Ch. Conseillante |
2012 |
Pomerol (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,150.97 |
1 |
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WA 96 (4/2015): An absolutely amazing wine from the Nicolas family, this is from another estate in Pomerol that is pushing the envelope to higher and higher quality. The final blend has moved to smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc, now approximately 20%, with the balance 80% Merlot. Through crop-thinning, yields have been reduced to an average of 35 hectoliters per hectare. Inky bluish/purple color and stunning sweet tannins embrace a full-bodied opulent Pomerol with beautiful, floral-infused black raspberry, blueberry and cassis fruit. Full-bodied, yet elegant, this is a brilliant marriage between finesse and power. Stunningly pure, this wine can be drunk young or age magnificently for 20 or more years.
JS 94 (2/2015): Amazing aromas of dried flowers, blueberries and minerals follow through to a full body, fine and polished tannins and a long finish. All in finesse and harmony. Little tight now. Better in 2018.
WS 93 (3/2015): On the robust side of Pomerol for now, with ganache and tar notes underscoring the core of dark plum, linzer torte, blackberry and black currant fruit. The elements meld nicely through fleshy, cocoa-accented finish, where a lingering iron accent emerges alongside ample yet silky tannins. Shows impressive depth, suggesting that elegance will come from cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2027.
VM 92 (1/2016): A pretty, open-knit wine, the 2012 La Conseillante is quite expressive today. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, new leather, cedar and cloves flesh out in the glass. Supple, racy and inviting, the 2012 is an attractive, mid-weight Conseillante built on harmony and textural finesse. There is plenty to like, although I would have liked to see a bit more depth through the mid-palate and follow through to the finish. The 2012 is 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, which is to say more Merlot and less Franc than is the norm, aged in 70% new oak. Winemaker Jean-Michel Laporte, who has since been replaced by Marielle Cazaux (formerly at Petit-Village) characterized 2012 as a year with high disease pressure and alternating periods of sunshine and rain that made finding the right time to work in the vineyards a challenge. The 2012s came in around 14% alcohol, whereas alcohols were closer to 13.5% in 2014. Antonio Galloni. |
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|
2012 |
Pomerol (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,036.97 |
1 |
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| |
WA 96 (4/2015): An absolutely amazing wine from the Nicolas family, this is from another estate in Pomerol that is pushing the envelope to higher and higher quality. The final blend has moved to smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc, now approximately 20%, with the balance 80% Merlot. Through crop-thinning, yields have been reduced to an average of 35 hectoliters per hectare. Inky bluish/purple color and stunning sweet tannins embrace a full-bodied opulent Pomerol with beautiful, floral-infused black raspberry, blueberry and cassis fruit. Full-bodied, yet elegant, this is a brilliant marriage between finesse and power. Stunningly pure, this wine can be drunk young or age magnificently for 20 or more years.
JS 94 (2/2015): Amazing aromas of dried flowers, blueberries and minerals follow through to a full body, fine and polished tannins and a long finish. All in finesse and harmony. Little tight now. Better in 2018.
WS 93 (3/2015): On the robust side of Pomerol for now, with ganache and tar notes underscoring the core of dark plum, linzer torte, blackberry and black currant fruit. The elements meld nicely through fleshy, cocoa-accented finish, where a lingering iron accent emerges alongside ample yet silky tannins. Shows impressive depth, suggesting that elegance will come from cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2027.
VM 92 (1/2016): A pretty, open-knit wine, the 2012 La Conseillante is quite expressive today. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, new leather, cedar and cloves flesh out in the glass. Supple, racy and inviting, the 2012 is an attractive, mid-weight Conseillante built on harmony and textural finesse. There is plenty to like, although I would have liked to see a bit more depth through the mid-palate and follow through to the finish. The 2012 is 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, which is to say more Merlot and less Franc than is the norm, aged in 70% new oak. Winemaker Jean-Michel Laporte, who has since been replaced by Marielle Cazaux (formerly at Petit-Village) characterized 2012 as a year with high disease pressure and alternating periods of sunshine and rain that made finding the right time to work in the vineyards a challenge. The 2012s came in around 14% alcohol, whereas alcohols were closer to 13.5% in 2014. Antonio Galloni. |
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| Ch. Cos d'Estournel |
2012 |
St. Estephe (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,806.98 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 95 (2/2015): Wow. What a nose with currants, blackberries, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stones and wet earth. Full-bodied, refined yet muscular and trim. Fabulously polished tannins. Try drinking in 2020.
WA 93+ (4/2015): The 2012 Cos d’Estournel is a classic expression of St.-Estèphe, with notes of graphite, crushed rock, blackberry, blackcurrant fruit, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, structured, but well-integrated tannins and a long finish of 35 seconds or more. This is a beauty and an undeniable top success in the Medoc for 2012. Give it 4-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades or more. The final blend, which achieved 13.8% alcohol, is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
WS 92 (3/2015): Juicy raspberry, blackberry and plum confiture notes roll along, while the bramble-edged structure and accents of roasted apple wood and spice fill in. The finish has a lightly firm plum skin edge, but overall there's drive, intensity and depth to the pure fruit. A solid effort. Best from 2017 through 2025. |
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2012 |
St. Estephe (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$938.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 95 (2/2015): Wow. What a nose with currants, blackberries, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stones and wet earth. Full-bodied, refined yet muscular and trim. Fabulously polished tannins. Try drinking in 2020.
WA 93+ (4/2015): The 2012 Cos d’Estournel is a classic expression of St.-Estèphe, with notes of graphite, crushed rock, blackberry, blackcurrant fruit, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, structured, but well-integrated tannins and a long finish of 35 seconds or more. This is a beauty and an undeniable top success in the Medoc for 2012. Give it 4-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades or more. The final blend, which achieved 13.8% alcohol, is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
WS 92 (3/2015): Juicy raspberry, blackberry and plum confiture notes roll along, while the bramble-edged structure and accents of roasted apple wood and spice fill in. The finish has a lightly firm plum skin edge, but overall there's drive, intensity and depth to the pure fruit. A solid effort. Best from 2017 through 2025. |
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| Ch. Croix Figeac |
2012 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$614.97 |
5 |
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| Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou |
2012 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,103.98 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 93-96 (7/2013): The plum, currant and blackberry fruit is well-integrated already, with taut anise, singed spice and apple wood notes. Sleek and refined, lacking the telltale sinew of the vintage. Very stylish through the finish, revealing a persistent anise note. Tasted non-blind.
NM 92-94 (5/2013): The Grand Vin is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, delivering 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.68 (IPT of 70.) The Merlot was picked between 3rd and 5th October and the Cabernet Sauvignon between 6th and 10th October. It is being aged in 95% new oak for 18 months. It has a very pure bouquet with small black cherries, blackcurrant with a pleasing mineral component and fine delineation. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins. It is not a powerful Ducru but there is good degree of finesse and freshness thanks to the earlier picked grapes, plus there is a pleasant spice/black pepper note right on the finish. This is one of the finest Saint Julien wines.
JS 92-93 (4/2013): A very clean and pretty Ducru with fine tannins and a mineral floral character. Full body, yet racy and delicious. Pure and very elegant. Juicy and enticing.
VM 90-93 (5/2013): (a blend of 91% cabernet sauvignon and 9% merlot; 5.5 g/l total acidity, 3.7 pH; IPT 70; 13% alcohol; 60% new oak): Dark ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of blackcurrant, violet, licorice and graphite, plus a whiff of minerals. The flavors of blackcurrant, graphite and minerals are delicate, pure and refined. Finishes fine-grained, suave and firm, with excellent breadth. It's also one of the longest wines of the vintage, and for my money one of the top four or five from the Left Bank in 2012. When I asked Bruno Borie how this could be, given the very high percentage of cabernet sauvignon in the blend, he mentioned the intensive work required to achieve this result: he added two sorting tables directly in the vineyards and installed an optical sorting system in the cellar. He also noted that the cabernet sauvignon vines are very precocious in his terroir (gravelly clay right next to the river, where daily temperatures can average roughly 3°C more than vineyards in Saint-Julien's interior. Moreover, he harvested between October 3 and 5 and from October 6 through 10, escaping the brunt of the rain showers. According to Borie, the 2012 reminds him of the estate's 1964, an excellent vintage for those properties that harvested before the rains.
WA 90-92 (4/2013): The color is a healthy deep ruby/purple and the wine smells beautiful, exhibiting lots of floral, creme de cassis, licorice and graphite notes. Medium-bodied but slightly deficient in the mid-palate at present, it picks up speed and finishes with serious authority and power. This 2012 should be Outstanding, but it is difficult to favorably compare the 2012 to the prodigious wines produced at Ducru in 2009 and 2010. The 2012 will require 4-6 years of cellaring and should drink well for 15-20 years. |
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|
2012 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,128.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 93-96 (7/2013): The plum, currant and blackberry fruit is well-integrated already, with taut anise, singed spice and apple wood notes. Sleek and refined, lacking the telltale sinew of the vintage. Very stylish through the finish, revealing a persistent anise note. Tasted non-blind.
NM 92-94 (5/2013): The Grand Vin is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, delivering 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.68 (IPT of 70.) The Merlot was picked between 3rd and 5th October and the Cabernet Sauvignon between 6th and 10th October. It is being aged in 95% new oak for 18 months. It has a very pure bouquet with small black cherries, blackcurrant with a pleasing mineral component and fine delineation. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins. It is not a powerful Ducru but there is good degree of finesse and freshness thanks to the earlier picked grapes, plus there is a pleasant spice/black pepper note right on the finish. This is one of the finest Saint Julien wines.
JS 92-93 (4/2013): A very clean and pretty Ducru with fine tannins and a mineral floral character. Full body, yet racy and delicious. Pure and very elegant. Juicy and enticing.
VM 90-93 (5/2013): (a blend of 91% cabernet sauvignon and 9% merlot; 5.5 g/l total acidity, 3.7 pH; IPT 70; 13% alcohol; 60% new oak): Dark ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of blackcurrant, violet, licorice and graphite, plus a whiff of minerals. The flavors of blackcurrant, graphite and minerals are delicate, pure and refined. Finishes fine-grained, suave and firm, with excellent breadth. It's also one of the longest wines of the vintage, and for my money one of the top four or five from the Left Bank in 2012. When I asked Bruno Borie how this could be, given the very high percentage of cabernet sauvignon in the blend, he mentioned the intensive work required to achieve this result: he added two sorting tables directly in the vineyards and installed an optical sorting system in the cellar. He also noted that the cabernet sauvignon vines are very precocious in his terroir (gravelly clay right next to the river, where daily temperatures can average roughly 3°C more than vineyards in Saint-Julien's interior. Moreover, he harvested between October 3 and 5 and from October 6 through 10, escaping the brunt of the rain showers. According to Borie, the 2012 reminds him of the estate's 1964, an excellent vintage for those properties that harvested before the rains.
WA 90-92 (4/2013): The color is a healthy deep ruby/purple and the wine smells beautiful, exhibiting lots of floral, creme de cassis, licorice and graphite notes. Medium-bodied but slightly deficient in the mid-palate at present, it picks up speed and finishes with serious authority and power. This 2012 should be Outstanding, but it is difficult to favorably compare the 2012 to the prodigious wines produced at Ducru in 2009 and 2010. The 2012 will require 4-6 years of cellaring and should drink well for 15-20 years. |
|
| Ch. Duhart Milon |
2012 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$577.99 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 92 (2/2015): Lots of currants, dried strawberries, sweet tobacco and cedar on the nose. Full to medium body and a solid structure. Reminds me of some Outstanding Lafites of the 1980s such as 1985. A little tight and closed. Try in 2020.
VM 90 (1/2016): A deep, generous wine, the 2012 Duhart-Milon offers lovely depth and resonance throughout. Black fruit, graphite, smoke and licorice are some of the signatures. The 2012 is a bit rustic and rough around the edges, but it has enough depth to drink well for another decade plus. Antonio Galloni.
WS 90 (3/2015): Red currant, cherry and pomegranate notes form the core and flesh out steadily through the finish, picking up apple wood and anise accents along the way. Features polished grip through the finish, with a light echo of loam lending some contrast. Best from 2017 through 2025. 25,000 cases made.
WA 89 (4/2015): This property has enjoyed the considerable investments from the Rothschild family and the quality of the wines over the last generation has been increasingly impressive. I’ve always written that if you can’t afford Lafite Rothschild, why not try Duhart Milon, which is not far off the quality of its much more famous neighbor. Spicy, deep ruby/purple with notes of cassis, cedar wood and spice box, the wine is soft, round, juicy, medium-bodied and ideal for drinking now and over the next 15 or so years. It is not one of their finest efforts, but it is certainly well-made, supple-textured and seductive. |
|
| Clos l' Eglise |
2012 |
Pomerol |
$98 |
7 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (10/2020): I also loved the 2012 Clos L'Eglise. This more medium-bodied, elegant Pomerol boasts a healthy purple color to go with ample chocolate-laced black cherry and currant fruits, medium-bodied richness and depth, plenty of tobacco and floral nuances, and a great finish. It doesn't have the concentration of the top vintages here yet is beautifully balanced, elegant, and will continue drinking nicely for another 10-12 years. |
|
| Ch. L' Eglise Clinet |
2012 |
Pomerol (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$959.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (4/2015): A gorgeous wine from proprietor Denis Durantou, this blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc is an inky purple color, with gorgeous purity of black raspberries, blackcurrants and blackberry with a hint of truffle and spring flowers. Its is full-bodied, opulent and a tour de force in this vintage. Great presence on the palate, fabulous purity and a long finish make for a magnificent bottle of wine to drink over the next 20-some years.
WS 94 (5/2015): This delivers a gorgeously pure and racy core of raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry fruit, melded perfectly with singed black tea leaf, dried star anise and roasted apple wood notes. Velvety and alluring overall, but there's a bright minerality buried on the finish. Best from 2016 through 2027. 1,417 cases made. |
|
| Ch. L' Evangile |
2012 |
Pomerol (6.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,607.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 94-95 (4/2013): A wine with plenty of deep fruit, spices and hazelnut character. Lovely fruit. Full-bodied, with lovely silky tannins and a long, long finish. So much going on here. Elegance with strength and structure. 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.
WA 94 (4/2015): This dark ruby/plum Pomerol offers up sweet black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, velvety tannin, medium to full body, and a nice lushness and silkiness. A beauty with great fragrance and suppleness, it’s not enormously endowed, as a great vintage would be, but it is certainly an Outstanding wine and a brilliant effort from ’Evangile in 2012. Drink it over the next 15 years.
WS 92-95 (4/2013): Fleshy and unctuous, with dark plum and steeped currant fruit, rounded out by a healthy dose of toast and a long, charcoal-filled finish. Shows serious weight for the vintage. |
|
|
2012 |
Pomerol (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,200.97 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 94-95 (4/2013): A wine with plenty of deep fruit, spices and hazelnut character. Lovely fruit. Full-bodied, with lovely silky tannins and a long, long finish. So much going on here. Elegance with strength and structure. 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.
WA 94 (4/2015): This dark ruby/plum Pomerol offers up sweet black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, velvety tannin, medium to full body, and a nice lushness and silkiness. A beauty with great fragrance and suppleness, it’s not enormously endowed, as a great vintage would be, but it is certainly an Outstanding wine and a brilliant effort from ’Evangile in 2012. Drink it over the next 15 years.
WS 92-95 (4/2013): Fleshy and unctuous, with dark plum and steeped currant fruit, rounded out by a healthy dose of toast and a long, charcoal-filled finish. Shows serious weight for the vintage. |
|
| Ch. de Ferrand |
2012 |
St. Emilion (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$702.99 |
5 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Feytit-Clinet |
2012 |
Pomerol (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$469.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. de Fieuzal |
2012 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$642.98 |
3 |
|
| |
WS 90 (3/2015): Rather dark in profile, with pastis-soaked black currant and blackberry fruit at the core, studded with warm fruitcake and ganache notes. The bramble-edged finish lets the slightly exotic display of fruit maintain the upper hand. Best from 2016 through 2022. 6,500 cases made.
JS 89 (2/2015): A fine and fresh wine with bright fruit and flowers, a medium body and an earthy, spicy finish. Minerally and crisp. Slightly lacks a mid-palate. Drink or hold.
VM 87-90 (5/2013): Medium-deep ruby. Musky aromas of raspberry, blackcurrant and earth lifted by floral and vanilla elements. Sweet, supple and very ripe, this big, strapping wine offers rich, saline flavors of creamy dark fruits and smoky minerals. Finishes suave and stylish, with noteworthy length; harmonious acids really extend the flavors at the back. A superb Fieuzal made from obviously ripe fruit. Ian d'Agata.
WA 89+ (4/2015): Loads of ripe fruit are present in this wine, but I was surprised by what appeared to be a lack of complexity and nuance. It is certainly chunky, has a dense ruby/purple color and the concentration is adequate. The wine showed blue, red and black fruits, spice, and earth, but is not showing the nuances and complexity I would have expected. Drink it over the next 15 years.
NM 88-90 (4/2013): Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The de Fieuzal Rouge has a succulent bouquet of blackberry, cassis and vanilla that is modern, well defined and showy. The palate is medium-bodied with a black coffee infused entry. The acidity is crisp and there is decent fruit concentration, but the finish is a little too oaky at the moment. Let us see how it melds during elevage. |
|
| Ch. Figeac |
2012 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,183.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 94 (2/2015): Beautiful aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries with cacao and chocolate notes. Full body, lovely acidity, soft and juicy tannins and a long, fruity finish. Figeac is back in style. Needs two or three years to soften. Best after 2018.
VM 93 (1/2016): The 2012 Figeac is super-expressive. Dense and fleshy in the glass - yet with gorgeous aromatic lift - the 2012 is impeccable in its overall balance. Dark red plum, cherry pit, cloves, leather, sage and licorice are all laced into the inviting finish. Within the context of the year, the Figeac has a fair amount of structure, so it is best cellared for at least a few years. There is a lot to like here. Michel Rolland blended the 2012 and took over the consulting at Figeac in full beginning with the 2013 harvest.
WS 93 (3/2015): (WS #98 wine of 2015) A beguiling tobacco leaf note weaves up and away from the core of steeped plum and mulled currant fruit, while a sleek iron accent forms the spine and a loamy element creates the backdrop. Shows some pleasant latent grip while the currant detail echoes. Best from 2018 through 2027. 8,330 cases made.
WA 91+ (4/2015): This is a very strong effort from this great terroir. They finally seem to be making stricter selections and picking slightly riper fruit, thereby avoiding the vegetal underripe tones of the past as well as dilution from a lack of any selection. The 2012 Figeac (performing much better from bottle) has a dense ruby/purple color and a beautiful nose of graphite, blackcurrants, and spice box, followed by a medium-bodied, elegant yet still concentrated and authoritative style of wine. This is a beauty, and the great terroir that has existed for centuries comes through beautifully. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 20 years. ` |
|
|
2012 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,118.97 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 94 (2/2015): Beautiful aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries with cacao and chocolate notes. Full body, lovely acidity, soft and juicy tannins and a long, fruity finish. Figeac is back in style. Needs two or three years to soften. Best after 2018.
VM 93 (1/2016): The 2012 Figeac is super-expressive. Dense and fleshy in the glass - yet with gorgeous aromatic lift - the 2012 is impeccable in its overall balance. Dark red plum, cherry pit, cloves, leather, sage and licorice are all laced into the inviting finish. Within the context of the year, the Figeac has a fair amount of structure, so it is best cellared for at least a few years. There is a lot to like here. Michel Rolland blended the 2012 and took over the consulting at Figeac in full beginning with the 2013 harvest.
WS 93 (3/2015): (WS #98 wine of 2015) A beguiling tobacco leaf note weaves up and away from the core of steeped plum and mulled currant fruit, while a sleek iron accent forms the spine and a loamy element creates the backdrop. Shows some pleasant latent grip while the currant detail echoes. Best from 2018 through 2027. 8,330 cases made.
WA 91+ (4/2015): This is a very strong effort from this great terroir. They finally seem to be making stricter selections and picking slightly riper fruit, thereby avoiding the vegetal underripe tones of the past as well as dilution from a lack of any selection. The 2012 Figeac (performing much better from bottle) has a dense ruby/purple color and a beautiful nose of graphite, blackcurrants, and spice box, followed by a medium-bodied, elegant yet still concentrated and authoritative style of wine. This is a beauty, and the great terroir that has existed for centuries comes through beautifully. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 20 years. ` |
|
|
2012 |
St. Emilion (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,589.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 94 (2/2015): Beautiful aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries with cacao and chocolate notes. Full body, lovely acidity, soft and juicy tannins and a long, fruity finish. Figeac is back in style. Needs two or three years to soften. Best after 2018.
VM 93 (1/2016): The 2012 Figeac is super-expressive. Dense and fleshy in the glass - yet with gorgeous aromatic lift - the 2012 is impeccable in its overall balance. Dark red plum, cherry pit, cloves, leather, sage and licorice are all laced into the inviting finish. Within the context of the year, the Figeac has a fair amount of structure, so it is best cellared for at least a few years. There is a lot to like here. Michel Rolland blended the 2012 and took over the consulting at Figeac in full beginning with the 2013 harvest.
WS 93 (3/2015): (WS #98 wine of 2015) A beguiling tobacco leaf note weaves up and away from the core of steeped plum and mulled currant fruit, while a sleek iron accent forms the spine and a loamy element creates the backdrop. Shows some pleasant latent grip while the currant detail echoes. Best from 2018 through 2027. 8,330 cases made.
WA 91+ (4/2015): This is a very strong effort from this great terroir. They finally seem to be making stricter selections and picking slightly riper fruit, thereby avoiding the vegetal underripe tones of the past as well as dilution from a lack of any selection. The 2012 Figeac (performing much better from bottle) has a dense ruby/purple color and a beautiful nose of graphite, blackcurrants, and spice box, followed by a medium-bodied, elegant yet still concentrated and authoritative style of wine. This is a beauty, and the great terroir that has existed for centuries comes through beautifully. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 20 years. ` |
|
| Ch. La Fleur Petrus |
2012 |
Pomerol Ex-Negociant |
$275 |
6 |
|
| |
JD 96 (3/2019): A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2012 La Fleur Petrus is a stunning Pomerol that’s certainly up in the top tier of the vintage. Incredibly perfumed and floral, with notions of black cherries, raspberries, dried flowers, forest floor, saddle leather, and cedar, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful balance, ripe tannin, and an ethereal, elegant texture that carries ample flavor authority with no sensation of weight. Drink this incredibly fine, elegant, and nuanced beauty any time over the coming three decades.
WA 96 (10/2016): Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 La Fleur Pétrus has a mint-fresh bouquet, vigorous and vivid, with delineated red cherry, raspberry and cassis fruit under which is a strata of wet limestone. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is a more understated Pomerol but there is real nuance here, black truffle and leather tinging the introspective black fruit. Yet behind that is harmony and finesse, notwithstanding impressive length and sustain. It may be slightly over-shadowed by the sensational Trotanoy, but Pomerol-lovers will lap up this fantastic La Fleur-Petrus from the JP Moueix team. Tasted January 2016.
VM 90 (9/2022): The 2012 La Fleur-Pétrus has a well defined nose: red fruit mixed with leather and undergrowth, wild heather and sage. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant, quite fine tannins that frame the spicy red fruit, silky smooth with a caressing, sensual and rather irony finish. The second bottle at Bordeaux Index demonstrated a little more dryness on the finish. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. (Drink between 2022-2034). Neal Martin. |
|
|
2012 |
Pomerol (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,969.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96 (3/2019): A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2012 La Fleur Petrus is a stunning Pomerol that’s certainly up in the top tier of the vintage. Incredibly perfumed and floral, with notions of black cherries, raspberries, dried flowers, forest floor, saddle leather, and cedar, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful balance, ripe tannin, and an ethereal, elegant texture that carries ample flavor authority with no sensation of weight. Drink this incredibly fine, elegant, and nuanced beauty any time over the coming three decades.
WA 96 (10/2016): Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 La Fleur Pétrus has a mint-fresh bouquet, vigorous and vivid, with delineated red cherry, raspberry and cassis fruit under which is a strata of wet limestone. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is a more understated Pomerol but there is real nuance here, black truffle and leather tinging the introspective black fruit. Yet behind that is harmony and finesse, notwithstanding impressive length and sustain. It may be slightly over-shadowed by the sensational Trotanoy, but Pomerol-lovers will lap up this fantastic La Fleur-Petrus from the JP Moueix team. Tasted January 2016.
VM 90 (9/2022): The 2012 La Fleur-Pétrus has a well defined nose: red fruit mixed with leather and undergrowth, wild heather and sage. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant, quite fine tannins that frame the spicy red fruit, silky smooth with a caressing, sensual and rather irony finish. The second bottle at Bordeaux Index demonstrated a little more dryness on the finish. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. (Drink between 2022-2034). Neal Martin. |
|
| Les Forts de Latour |
2012 |
Pauillac Ex-Negociant |
$239 |
24 |
|
| |
JS 92 (2/2015): Perfumed and bright with mineral, currant, raspberry and citrus character. Full body, fine tannins and a crisp finish. Orange peel. Better in 2017.
WS 91 (3/2015): Admirably rich for the vintage, with solid plum and black currant paste flavors, allied to a decidedly brisk and racy structure and backed by plum pit, iron and singed alder notes through the finish, giving this a rather linear feel overall. Should age well, and will likely always have more cut than breadth. Best from 2017 through 2025. 11,933 cases made.
WA 90 (4/2015): The second wine, from vineyards outside of their famous walled l'enclos, the 2012 Les Forts de Latour (75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance mostly Merlot) is a beautiful, elegant wine with a dense purple color, notes of sweet black cherries and blackcurrants, subtle background minerality and no evidence of oak. This medium to full-bodied, beautifully constructed and layered Les Forts de Latour should drink nicely for 15 or more years. |
|
| Clos Fourtet |
2012 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$758.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (4/2015): Having just had the 2003 and 2005 from my cellar, I can attest to the magnificent turnaround in quality this famous estate on the eastern side of St.-Emilion has achieved. All of it is attributable to its dynamic proprietor, Philippe Cuvelier. The 2012 Clos Fourtet (usually 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc) has beautiful blackberry and blueberry fruit and an inky purple color. With flawless integration of acidity, tannin, wood and alcohol, a full-bodied mouthfeel and stunning richness, this is impressive and certainly one of the vintage's top wines. It should evolve beautifully for 15-20 years, and be drinkable in 3-4. Yields were a modest 32 hectoliters per hectare with the alcohol at 14%. |
|
| Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste |
2012 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$863.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 93 (3/2015): Well-built, with a charcoal frame that melds nicely with steeped currant, blackberry paste and dark plum fruit flavors. The long finish is riveted to a graphite underpinning. Remarkably dense, but without the austere twinge of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 11,665 cases made.
JS 93 (2/2015): This is very muscular with blackcurrant, blueberry and mineral character. Full and tight now but this shows a serious backbone of tannins and length. Try in 2018.
NM 92-94 (4/2013): Tasted en primeur at the chateau. The Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2012 is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot picked between 3rd and 16th October at 36hl/ha and matured in 75% new oak. The aromatics are reticent at first, demand coaxing from the glass. It reluctantly offers blackberry, small dark cherries and a fragrant seaweed scent. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins that appear fully ripe. There is a very attractive symmetry to this wine, wonderful focus with a fresh, refined finish that is not powerful like the 2009 or 2010, but offers a pleasant salty tang. This is a well crafted wine for the vintage.
WA 91 (4/2015): Always a favorite among consumers, Xavier Borie’s is a fifth-growth Pauillac that consistently performs at a much higher level. The 2012 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has the classic, tell-tale crème de cassis as well as some bluer fruits and floral notes. Medium-bodied, its ripe tannin, beautiful fruit and low acidity give it an up-front appeal. There’s no harm in drinking it now or cellaring it for another 12-15+ years.
VM 90-92 (5/2013): Deep purple-ruby. Highly aromatic nose offers scents of smoky blackberry, red cherry, violet, cocoa and spicy oak. Juicy, spicy and rather deep for the vintage, with nicely concentrated sour cherry and bright blackcurrant lifted by a floral element. A peppery twist complicates the rising, almost creamy finish, which shows a restrained sweetness and sneaky concentration. One of the top two dozen wines of the vintage. Ian d'Agata. |
|
| Ch. Gruaud Larose |
2012 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$526.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 93 (2/2015): A silky and fine red with blueberry, blackberry and floral character. Hints of hazelnuts. Full body, integrated tannins and a fresh finish. Persistent too. Better in 2017.
NM 90-92 (5/2013): The Grand Vin is a blend of 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 6.5% Petit Verdot, delivering 13.46% alcohol and an IPT of 73. Harvest commenced on 2nd October with the Merlot, the Cabernet picked between 11th and 18th October. The bouquet is fresh with expressive Merlot – not a complex aromatic profile but expanding nicely in the glass with subtle floral notes. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a gentle but insistent grip. The acidity is well judged and it builds very nicely in the mouth to a finish that is more sophisticated than the nose presently suggest. This will be a fine, medium-term Gruaud Larose.
WS 90 (3/2015): Inviting, with a fleshy core of plum, blackberry and anise notes, lined with graphite and warm fruitcake hints and supported by a juicy finish that keeps the toast in the background. Very solid and without the overtly austere feel of the vintage. Drink now through 2020. 13,333 cases made.
WA 89 (4/2015): A nice, earthy, black fruited, spicy and meaty 2012 Gruaud Larose, with medium body, excellent depth, chunky roasted herb and aged beef notes, this wine finishes authoritatively and the tannins are reasonably ripe. Give it another 3-5 years cellaring and drink it over the following 15 or so years.
VM 88-90 (5/2013): Medium deep ruby-purple. Perfumed, refined aromas and flavors of black cherry, spicy dark plum, licorice, cedar and ink. Smooth and quite long on the finish. Gruaud was one of the rare properties in 2012 where petit verdot managed to ripen fully. In fact, the grand vin contains 6.5% petit verdot, Gruaud's entire crop from these vines. |
|
| Ch. d' Issan |
2012 |
Margaux (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$459.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (4/2015): The 2012 Château d’Issan, builds on the richness of the second wine and adds more body, structure and density. It has an inky purple color and a stunning nose of spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit as well as touches of incense and graphite. Medium to full-bodied and stunningly concentrated, this 2012 is a great success in the vintage, one of the superstars. Moreover, its precociousness suggests it could be drunk in the next 4-5 years or cellared through 2025. I underrated this wine dramatically in my report of April, 2013
JS 92 (3/2015): This is an excellent red now with sweet tobacco, truffles and berries. Full body, vevlety tannins and a savory finish. This shows the Issan character of decadence and richness.
WS 89 (3/2015): This has a strong roasted alder note leading the way, followed by lively plum and red currant fruit. The tightly focused and energetic finish lets the sanguine and iron accents stretch out. A solid effort, with an old-school edge. Drink now through 2019. 7,500 cases made.
VM 87-89 (5/2013): Bright red-ruby. Subdued but pure nose offers blueberry, violet, licorice, menthol and grilled herbs. Enters the mouth fresh and clean, then turns austere, with nicely integrated acidity framing delicate dark berry and herbal flavors. Finishes firm and fresh, with fine-grained tannins and a hint of herbaceousness. A juicy, brisk, classic Bordeaux red with no shortage of energy and lift. I'm always a big fan of Issan, but I wonder if this vintage's relatively modest quantity of ripe fruit will last
NM 87-89 (4/2013): Cropped between 1st and 17th October, the d’Issan is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot cropped at 37hl/ha. It has a tight, quite reticent bouquet – quite stern but focused. This is almost Pauillac in style with a faint tang of seaweed. The palate is medium-bodied with a structured entry. There is a rigid backbone here, again, lending it a Pauillac-like structure with a slight saltiness towards the finish. It needs to offer a little more flesh by the time of bottling. |
|
| Ch. Lafite Rothschild |
2012 |
Pauillac (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$7,071.97 |
3 |
|
| |
WS 93-96 (4/2013): Tightly drawn, with a firm, toasty edge framing the core of plum skin, red currant and black cherry fruit. A taut mix of beet, anise and bay chimes in on the finish, showing a touch of astringency. The ample flesh and length should fill this out in time.
JS 93-94 (4/2013): This is beautiful for the vintage. Full body and very tender with fine tannins and a pretty finish. Attractive currant, cedar, and sweet tobacco character. More delicate than the 2011.
WA 92-95 (4/2013): The classically styled 2012 exhibits attractive elegance, medium body and Outstanding concentration, but not the complexity and depth or prodigious qualities of many other recent Lafites. It is a relatively soft, spicy effort displaying notes of crushed rocks, white chocolate, black currants and graphite. It should be drinkable in 5-8 years and last for two decades.
VM 90-93 (6/2013): (91% cabernet sauvignon, 8.5% merlot, 0.5% petit verdot; 38% of the total crop went into the grand vin; 40 hectoliters per hectare produced): Dark ruby-red. Aromatic nose combines blackberry, black cherry, minerals, violet, spices and cedar. Fresh and juicy in the mouth, offering clean flavors of dark berries, graphite and cedar but not the flesh of the great vintages. This very fragrant Lafite displays noteworthy energy but turns tougher on the back end, finishing firm and tight, with rather muscular tannins and a vegetal nuance. |
|
|
2012 |
Pauillac (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,563.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 93-96 (4/2013): Tightly drawn, with a firm, toasty edge framing the core of plum skin, red currant and black cherry fruit. A taut mix of beet, anise and bay chimes in on the finish, showing a touch of astringency. The ample flesh and length should fill this out in time.
JS 93-94 (4/2013): This is beautiful for the vintage. Full body and very tender with fine tannins and a pretty finish. Attractive currant, cedar, and sweet tobacco character. More delicate than the 2011.
WA 92-95 (4/2013): The classically styled 2012 exhibits attractive elegance, medium body and Outstanding concentration, but not the complexity and depth or prodigious qualities of many other recent Lafites. It is a relatively soft, spicy effort displaying notes of crushed rocks, white chocolate, black currants and graphite. It should be drinkable in 5-8 years and last for two decades.
VM 90-93 (6/2013): (91% cabernet sauvignon, 8.5% merlot, 0.5% petit verdot; 38% of the total crop went into the grand vin; 40 hectoliters per hectare produced): Dark ruby-red. Aromatic nose combines blackberry, black cherry, minerals, violet, spices and cedar. Fresh and juicy in the mouth, offering clean flavors of dark berries, graphite and cedar but not the flesh of the great vintages. This very fragrant Lafite displays noteworthy energy but turns tougher on the back end, finishing firm and tight, with rather muscular tannins and a vegetal nuance. |
|
| Ch. Langoa Barton |
2012 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$436.98 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 90 (4/2015): Plenty of juicy blackcurrant fruit and background oak are present in this plump, medium to full-bodied, ripe, well-made wine. Not nearly as tannic as I feared, this wine shows a forward plumpness, excellent purity, texture and length. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.
NM 90-92 (4/2013): The Langoa Barton is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc picked between 3 and 15 October at 32hl/ha. It has a surprisingly high-toned, quite glossy, exotic bouquet at first, although it appears to “calm down” in the glass to leave plenty of ripe red cherry and strawberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, supple tannins. This is a generous, confident Langoa Barton, quite feminine (living up to its name) with a lovely ripe, quite sensual finish that exhibits deftly integrated oak. Tasted twice with consistent notes, there is great potential here.
VM 89 (1/2016): The 2012 Langoa-Barton is fleshy and supple, with lovely aromatic top notes that give the wine much of its inviting personality. Sweet red cherries, herbs, mint and white pepper are laced together in a delicate, nuanced wine that is ready to drink now. Antonio Galloni.
JS 89 (2/2015): Pretty dried cherry, vanilla and berry character on the nose and palate. Full to medium body, fine tannins and a flavorful finish. A little fluid. Needs two or three years to come together.
WS 88 (7/2015): This has a juicy energy weaving amid the core of anise, blackberry coulis and warm plum notes. Shows a brambly edge on the relatively open-knit finish, with a hint of licorice snap. This has pulled together nicely since the barrel tasting. Drink now through 2020. 6,250 cases made. |
|
| Ch. Latour |
2012 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,206.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96+ (3/2020): The 2012 Latour is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and 0.2% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet colored, the nose slowly, measuredly emerges with notions of preserved Morello cherries, baked blackcurrants and blackberry compote, giving way to nuances of pencil shavings, unsmoked cigars, Chinese five spice and sandalwood plus ever so subtle hints of cardamom and eucalyptus. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and red fruit preserves with a firm, grainy-textured frame and fantastic freshness, finishing with a veritable firework display of lingering spices and minerals. This is a more restrained, relatively elegant vintage of Latour that may not have that “iron fist in a velvet glove” power of the greatest vintages but nonetheless struts its superior terroir and behind-the-scenes savoir faire with impressive panache. It is drinking nicely now with suitably rounded-off, approachable tannins, and the tertiary characters are just beginning to bring some more cerebral elements into the compote of temptingly primary black fruits. But, if you’re looking to drink it in full, flamboyant swing, give it another 5-10 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20-25 years+.
VM 96 (4/2020): The 2012 Latour has a potent bouquet of blackberry, graphite and distinctive tertiary notes [instead of more marine scents observed four years earlier]. Initially, the palate is slightly disjointed on the entry and displays a subtle herbal quality, plus hints of pencil shavings. The 2012 demands a few minutes to really coalesce and achieve the precision and pixelation that have been the hallmark of this Grand Vin in its youth. Layers of black fruit coat the mouth, and a bitter edge lends tension, particularly toward the very persistent finish. Though its release implies, and the rhetoric from the château indicates, that it is ready to drink, if you want my advice, cellar the 2012 for another five or six years to witness it in full flight. It has always been a candidate for wine of the vintage... just have a bit of patience. Neal Martin.
WS 95 (3/2015): This features a terrific, gorgeously delineated graphite note that runs from start to finish, letting the dark plum, black cherry and cassis fruit play out beautifully. Shows a lovely backdrop of charcoal and iron on the finish. Ever so slightly rigid, with a strong graphite expression, this is straight rather than expansive in feel, but seriously long nonetheless. Best from 2018 through 2030. 9,819 cases made.
JS 94 (2/2015): Very perfumed with hints of minerals, currants, wet earth and stones. Full-bodied, muscular and chewy. Polished tannins, tight acidity and a savory finish. Very reserved. Muscular. Better in 2019. |
|
|
2012 |
Pauillac (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,749.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96+ (3/2020): The 2012 Latour is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and 0.2% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet colored, the nose slowly, measuredly emerges with notions of preserved Morello cherries, baked blackcurrants and blackberry compote, giving way to nuances of pencil shavings, unsmoked cigars, Chinese five spice and sandalwood plus ever so subtle hints of cardamom and eucalyptus. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and red fruit preserves with a firm, grainy-textured frame and fantastic freshness, finishing with a veritable firework display of lingering spices and minerals. This is a more restrained, relatively elegant vintage of Latour that may not have that “iron fist in a velvet glove” power of the greatest vintages but nonetheless struts its superior terroir and behind-the-scenes savoir faire with impressive panache. It is drinking nicely now with suitably rounded-off, approachable tannins, and the tertiary characters are just beginning to bring some more cerebral elements into the compote of temptingly primary black fruits. But, if you’re looking to drink it in full, flamboyant swing, give it another 5-10 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20-25 years+.
VM 96 (4/2020): The 2012 Latour has a potent bouquet of blackberry, graphite and distinctive tertiary notes [instead of more marine scents observed four years earlier]. Initially, the palate is slightly disjointed on the entry and displays a subtle herbal quality, plus hints of pencil shavings. The 2012 demands a few minutes to really coalesce and achieve the precision and pixelation that have been the hallmark of this Grand Vin in its youth. Layers of black fruit coat the mouth, and a bitter edge lends tension, particularly toward the very persistent finish. Though its release implies, and the rhetoric from the château indicates, that it is ready to drink, if you want my advice, cellar the 2012 for another five or six years to witness it in full flight. It has always been a candidate for wine of the vintage... just have a bit of patience. Neal Martin.
WS 95 (3/2015): This features a terrific, gorgeously delineated graphite note that runs from start to finish, letting the dark plum, black cherry and cassis fruit play out beautifully. Shows a lovely backdrop of charcoal and iron on the finish. Ever so slightly rigid, with a strong graphite expression, this is straight rather than expansive in feel, but seriously long nonetheless. Best from 2018 through 2030. 9,819 cases made.
JS 94 (2/2015): Very perfumed with hints of minerals, currants, wet earth and stones. Full-bodied, muscular and chewy. Polished tannins, tight acidity and a savory finish. Very reserved. Muscular. Better in 2019. |
|
| Ch. Leoville Las Cases |
2012 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,320.99 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 95 (1/2018): Standing out for its sheer purity and class, the 2012 Leoville-Las Cases is about as seamless as they come, with medium to full-bodied richness, fabulous notes of crème de cassis, cedary spice, plums, spice and wood smoke, with its oak component pushed well into the background. While not a blockbuster, it is impeccably balanced, with a full, layered mid-palate, building tannin and a rock-solid finish. Give this straight up classy 2012 4-5 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles over the following two decades or more.
WS 94 (3/2015): This is very tight at this early stage, with a wall of smoldering charcoal holding the core of dark plum, blackberry paste and cassis in reserve. The sleek finish shows admirable length and a mouthwatering echo of iron. This harnesses the austerity of the vintage to its advantage, and should unwind slowly in the cellar. Best from 2018 through 2030. 10,000 cases made.
WA 93+ (4/2015): The bigger sister or brother of Le Petit Lion, depending on your point of view, the 2012 Leoville Las Cases has gorgeous minerality, plenty of blueberry and blackcurrant fruit that is super-pure, an opaque ruby/purple color, medium body and firm structured, slightly austere personality. This wine is built for the long-term. A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, it attained 13.5% alcohol, which is substantial for a 2012 Medoc. It has depth and richness, but also a boatload of tannin. Forget it for 8-10 years and drink over the following 15-20.
VM 93 (1/2016): The 2012 Leoville-Las-Cases offers lovely up front voluptuousness, something I am almost shocked to write about one of the Left Bank's most notoriously slow agers. Sweet red cherry, dried flowers and pipe tobacco scents meld into a translucent, mid-weight Las Cases that should drink relatively early by this wine's standard. The silky finish only adds to the wine's considerable early appeal. The blend is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. Antonio Galloni.
JS 93 (2/2015): So pure on the nose with aromas of blackcurrants, raspberries and licorice. Hints of stones. Full body, polished yet chewy tannins and a long and racy finish. Layered tannins. Citrusy undertones. Bright acidity. Better in 2019. |
|
|
2012 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,118.97 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 95 (1/2018): Standing out for its sheer purity and class, the 2012 Leoville-Las Cases is about as seamless as they come, with medium to full-bodied richness, fabulous notes of crème de cassis, cedary spice, plums, spice and wood smoke, with its oak component pushed well into the background. While not a blockbuster, it is impeccably balanced, with a full, layered mid-palate, building tannin and a rock-solid finish. Give this straight up classy 2012 4-5 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles over the following two decades or more.
WS 94 (3/2015): This is very tight at this early stage, with a wall of smoldering charcoal holding the core of dark plum, blackberry paste and cassis in reserve. The sleek finish shows admirable length and a mouthwatering echo of iron. This harnesses the austerity of the vintage to its advantage, and should unwind slowly in the cellar. Best from 2018 through 2030. 10,000 cases made.
WA 93+ (4/2015): The bigger sister or brother of Le Petit Lion, depending on your point of view, the 2012 Leoville Las Cases has gorgeous minerality, plenty of blueberry and blackcurrant fruit that is super-pure, an opaque ruby/purple color, medium body and firm structured, slightly austere personality. This wine is built for the long-term. A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, it attained 13.5% alcohol, which is substantial for a 2012 Medoc. It has depth and richness, but also a boatload of tannin. Forget it for 8-10 years and drink over the following 15-20.
VM 93 (1/2016): The 2012 Leoville-Las-Cases offers lovely up front voluptuousness, something I am almost shocked to write about one of the Left Bank's most notoriously slow agers. Sweet red cherry, dried flowers and pipe tobacco scents meld into a translucent, mid-weight Las Cases that should drink relatively early by this wine's standard. The silky finish only adds to the wine's considerable early appeal. The blend is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. Antonio Galloni.
JS 93 (2/2015): So pure on the nose with aromas of blackcurrants, raspberries and licorice. Hints of stones. Full body, polished yet chewy tannins and a long and racy finish. Layered tannins. Citrusy undertones. Bright acidity. Better in 2019. |
|
| Ch. Lynch Bages |
2012 |
Pauillac (6.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,494.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 92 (3/2015): This has a very solid core of dark plum, crushed black currant and blackberry fruit, with lightly firm flesh and good drive through the finish, where alder and iron notes fill in. Shows excellent energy and depth, while harnessing the austere edge of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2025.
JS 92 (2/2015): Aromas of blackcurrants, blueberries and lemons follow through to a full body, firm tannins and a fresh, clean finish. A little tight now but excellent. Precision to this. Back ended. Better in 2018.
VM 91+ (1/2016): The 2012 Lynch-Bages comes across as a bit bombastic and ripe. Mocha, plums, dark cherry, blackberry, licorice, tar and new oak are all evident in this slightly four-square Lynch Bages. Today, the 2012 comes in as somewhat disjointed and not fully put together. It will be interesting to see what further time in bottle brings. The blend is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Because of heat stress, yields were unusually low in 2012, and that may be the reason why the wine is a bit clumsy today. I would give the 2012 a few years to come together. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Ch. Margaux |
2012 |
Margaux (6.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$5,399.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2016): Tasted blind at the 2012 Southwold tasting, the 2012 Château Margaux has a taut, linear, pencil lead-infused bouquet with pure blackberry and boysenberry scents, an undercurrent of tobacco that surfaces after five minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, a life-affirming sense of balance with well-integrated new oak towards the finish. I concur with Robert Parker that his has become more structured and masculine in bottle, yet there is pedigree here from start to finish, a sense of effortlessness that is seductive. This is a top-class wine from the late Paul Pontallier and his team.
WS 95 (3/2015): Bay leaf and menthol hints lift a core of crushed plum and warm cherry confiture notes while the background fills steadily with black tea, singed alder and iron elements. Turns a little darker on the finish, with a coating of bittersweet cocoa powder and roasted vanilla bean accents, while the minerality stays buried for now. Remarkably dense and packed, yet refined. Needs some time to unwind. Best from 2018 through 2030. 10,833 cases made.
VM 94+ (4/2016): The 2012 Margaux is beautifully polished and suave in the glass, with pliant fruit and plenty of finesse, all in a classic, mid-weight Margaux style. Inward and tightly wound, the 2012 is clearly holding back much of its potential. The 2012 has a stony, mineral-infused energy that is going to require at least a few more years in bottle to fully unwind, while the 100% new oak is a bit pronounced at this early stage. Grilled herbs, smoke, graphite and sage add further nuances on the savory, delineated finish. Antonio Galloni.
JS 94 (2/2015): Wonderful aromas of flowers such as roses, violets, strawberries and a hints of wet earth. Wet stones as well. Full to medium body, very firm tannins and a long, racy finish. Minerals and chalk on the aftertaste. Needs three to five years to soften. Better in 2020. |
|
|
2012 |
Margaux (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$6,195.97 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2016): Tasted blind at the 2012 Southwold tasting, the 2012 Château Margaux has a taut, linear, pencil lead-infused bouquet with pure blackberry and boysenberry scents, an undercurrent of tobacco that surfaces after five minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, a life-affirming sense of balance with well-integrated new oak towards the finish. I concur with Robert Parker that his has become more structured and masculine in bottle, yet there is pedigree here from start to finish, a sense of effortlessness that is seductive. This is a top-class wine from the late Paul Pontallier and his team.
WS 95 (3/2015): Bay leaf and menthol hints lift a core of crushed plum and warm cherry confiture notes while the background fills steadily with black tea, singed alder and iron elements. Turns a little darker on the finish, with a coating of bittersweet cocoa powder and roasted vanilla bean accents, while the minerality stays buried for now. Remarkably dense and packed, yet refined. Needs some time to unwind. Best from 2018 through 2030. 10,833 cases made.
VM 94+ (4/2016): The 2012 Margaux is beautifully polished and suave in the glass, with pliant fruit and plenty of finesse, all in a classic, mid-weight Margaux style. Inward and tightly wound, the 2012 is clearly holding back much of its potential. The 2012 has a stony, mineral-infused energy that is going to require at least a few more years in bottle to fully unwind, while the 100% new oak is a bit pronounced at this early stage. Grilled herbs, smoke, graphite and sage add further nuances on the savory, delineated finish. Antonio Galloni.
JS 94 (2/2015): Wonderful aromas of flowers such as roses, violets, strawberries and a hints of wet earth. Wet stones as well. Full to medium body, very firm tannins and a long, racy finish. Minerals and chalk on the aftertaste. Needs three to five years to soften. Better in 2020. |
|
| Ch. La Mission Haut Brion |
2012 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,695.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97 (4/2015): As for the 2012 La Mission Haut Brion, this wine (41% of the total production) continues to perform as it has for nearly a century. At first-growth levels of quality, this is s stunning wine that is full-bodied and very concentrated with notes of graphite, subtle charcoal embers, crème de cassis, blackberry and underlying subtle earthiness. The wine is full and powerful, rich and concentrated. And sure enough, the alcohol level tips the scales at 15% from a blend 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc. This is a big, blockbuster La Mission Haut Brion that should age effortlessly for 30-40+ years. However, the tannins suggest that this wine should not be touched for another 5-6 years, as its one of the more backward of the 2012 Pessac-Leognans. Bravo!
NM 96 (1/2012): Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 La Mission Haut-Brion showed brilliantly. It has an intense, floral bouquet with rose petals and strawberry preserve, hints of sous-bois and tobacco gently unfolding in the glass, gaining more earthiness as it aerates in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, broad and spicy with hints of bell pepper suggesting high quality Cabernet Franc. It fans out gloriously with a sustained tertiary finish that completes what is a wondrous La Mission Haut-Brion from Jean-Philippe Delmas and his team.
VM 96 (1/2016): One of the clear wines of the vintage, the 2012 La Mission Haut-Brion shows off a vertical sense of structure along with imposing tannins and serious depth. The flavors are dark, bold and extremely vivid. Dark red cherry, smoke, grilled herbs, graphite and blackberry jam are some of the many notes that come alive on the finish. This brooding La Mission needs a few years to settle down after which it will offer spectacular drinking for several decades. In a word: magnificent! Antonio Galloni.
JS 94 (2/2015): Gorgeous aromas of stones, currants and blueberries. Very aromatic. Mesmerizing. Full body, silky tannins and a long finish. Dense and rich. Layered. Earth and bark character. Lots of structure for the vintage. Better in 2019.
WS 93 (3/2015): The rigid tar and bramble frame should eventually meld with the core of plum, blackberry and macerated black currant fruit, featuring ample energy and a graphite note through the finish. Just a little bit of patience required here. Best from 2018 through 2025. 5,176 cases made. |
|
| Ch. Montrose |
2012 |
St. Estephe (12x375ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$824.98 |
4 |
|
| |
JS 94 (2/2015): Fascinating aromas of blackberries with cacao and buttery notes. This is a full-bodied red combining well-rounded tannins, lovely acidity and a mouth-watering finish. Yet turns firm and powerful. Drink in 2020.
VM 93 (1/2016): The 2012 Montrose is one of the bigger, richer wines of the vintage. Super-ripe black cherry, tar, smoke and leather find support in intense tannins that lurk beneath. Today, the tannins are incredibly imposing. The 2012 doesn't have the sheer heft of the epic vintages, but it does have the potential to be one of the real surprises of the year. This is an impressive 2012.
WA 92+ (4/2015): The 2012 Montrose (57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot), is rich, broad, and dense ruby/purple, with substantial tannins still to shed. It is a rather masculine, medium to full-bodied Montrose, with cassis, crushed rock and spice. This wine will need bottle age because of the tannin profile, should hit its prime in another 7-8 years, and last for another 20-25. This is another wine with the alcohol pushing an impressive 14% and a finished pH of 3.7 – two characteristics of a very ripe, high-quality vintage.
WS 92 (3/2015): Features lively and pure blackberry, fig and plum fruit, lined with enticing singed mesquite, bramble and tar accents. The muscular, tarry finish shows a twinge of austere chalkiness, but there's ample flesh for balance. Best from 2017 through 2025. 18,333 cases made.
NM 90-92 (4/2013): Tasted as a barrel sample at the chateau. The Grand Vin, representing 53% of production, is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It is being matured in 60% new oak. The nose offers plenty of fruit, perhaps even more than Cos d’Estournel with ebullient dark cherries, dark chocolate and black plum scents, although at this stage it does not have the complexity of a top Montrose. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe tannins that are obviously fully ripe. It is not a complex Montrose, perhaps just a little one-dimensional compared to others. But there is certainly good volume, soft in the mouth (some prudent pumping over here in the winery) with plenty of primal black fruit to enjoy on the finish. It will probably constitute a more approachable Montrose, but it is well made. |
|
| Ch. Mouton-Rothschild |
2012 |
Pauillac (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$6,195.97 |
3 |
|
| |
JS 97 (3/2016): This is the Mouton-Rothschild of Australia - with a screw cap! Incredibly complex aromas of blackcurrants, spices, cigar box, and berries. Full body, a fantastic palate and polished tannins. Goes for minutes. Better in 2017.
WA 96 (4/2016): Tasted at the Mouton-Rothschild vertical in London, the 2012 Mouton-Rothschild clearly has the upper hand over the 2011, if not quite at the level of the 2009, 2010 and what I envisage will be the 2015. There is obviously greater fruit intensity here, as if the contrast has been dialed up a couple of notches. It is quite showy on the nose, preening in its infancy with pure black cherries, graphite and hints of cold slate-like scents, later that hint of seaweed I observed when tasted blind a few months earlier. The palate is beautifully balanced with great vim and vigor. This is a Mouton that will not be put down - vivacious, vivid and delineated with wonderful focus and crucially, impressive persistence on the finish. Do not underestimate this Mouton-Rothschild, because I can see an upswing as it matures in bottle.
VM 94 (5/2016): The 2012 Mouton Rothschild continues to open up nicely. Forward, open and quite expressive, the 2012 looks like a wine that will drink well sooner rather than later. Dark cherry, plum, graphite, smoke and mocha meld into the inviting finish. The 2012 is not a huge wine, but it will open up sooner than some of the surrounding vintages. Time has only been a help for this open-knit, distinctly fruit-driven Mouton. The 2012 is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc harvested during the first fifteen days of October. Antonio Galloni.
WS 94 (3/2017): This is starting to mellow already, featuring dark fig and blackberry notes infused liberally with black tea and smoldering tobacco accents. Shows a light loamy echo through the finish, with a flash of menthol. Offers ample flesh throughout, with a slightly grainy edge to the tannins. Best from 2020 through 2040. |
|
| Ch. Ormes de Pez |
2012 |
St. Estephe (6.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$396.98 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Alter Ego de Palmer |
2012 |
Margaux (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$577.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 94 (2/2015): This is amazing for the second wine with incredible white truffle, stone and currant character. Purity of fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, silky and refined. Fantastic length. Better in 2018 but almost impossible to resist now. Incredible.
WA 93 (4/2015): Another brilliant example from administrator Thomas Duroux and his team, the intense second wine, Palmer’s 2012 Alter Ego (51% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot), offers up plenty of blackberry and crème de cassis notes along with some spring flowers, licorice and subtle background oak. Opulently textured, full-bodied and stunning, this is an outrageously successful second wine to drink over the next 12-15 years.
VM 92 (1/2016): The 2012 Alter Ego is unusually dark in this vintage, the result of abnormally low yields and very ripe Merlot. An exuberant, voluptuous wine, the 2012 hits the palate with a melange of black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice, tobacco and grilled herbs. There is more than enough tannin and acidity to support a good decade-plus of very fine drinking. This is a superb second wine that should be on consumers' radar screens, as it over delivers, big time. The 2012s at Palmer are made from unusually low yields of around 28 hectoliters per hectare. One of the effects of the 2011 hailstorm that hit the estate was a lowering of the following year's crop, which has resulted in rich, tannic wines. Estate Manager Thomas Duroux opted to give the 2012s more time in barrel than is customary and the wines were bottled in September 2014.
WS 90 (3/2015): Shows good energy, with a lively savory note, a bright iron streak and enticing damson plum, black cherry and red currant fruit. Everything knits through the finish, suggesting this should be able to handle modest cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2020. 7,083 cases made. |
|
| Ch. Palmer |
2012 |
Margaux (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,669.97 |
5 |
|
| |
JD 95 (1/2018): The 2012 Palmer showed beautifully, with the elegance and purity this cuvée is known for front and center. Offering lots of crème de cassis, licorice, smoked earth and a hint of spring flowers, it has medium to full-bodied richness, a balanced, graceful texture, plenty of tannin, and a great finish. This is one of those wines that grows on you with time in the glass and is going to evolve gracefully on its purity and balance.
WA 96 (4/2015): Château Palmer is one of the vintage’s superstars. Opaque purple, with a gorgeous nose of blueberry, blackberry fruit, licorice, incense and graphite, the wine has a multi-dimensional, skyscraper-like richness, stunningly well-integrated acidity, tannin, wood, and alcohol, a finish of close to 45 seconds and a full-bodied mouthfeel. This is a great wine from Margaux in 2012 and one of the vintage’s most remarkable efforts. Anticipated maturity: 2022-2040+. The final blend was 48% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot.
JS 97 (2/2015): This is mind-blowing with complex and superb aromas of dried flowers, blackcurrants and raspberries. Full-bodied, yet polished and velvety with lots of tension and intensity. Layers of fruit and character. Finishes with pure fruit, hazelnuts and minerals. About 20 hectares of 55 hectares were from biodynamically grown grapes. Try in 2022. Stunning.
VM 94 (1/2016): The 2012 Palmer is silky, voluptuous and beautifully layered in the glass. Black cherry, plum, mocha, bittersweet chocolate and dark spices flesh out in a decidedly opulent, racy Palmer built on pure texture. Silky, tannins round out the polished, suave finish. The 2012s at Palmer are made from unusually low yields of around 28 hectoliters per hectare. One of the effects of the 2011 hailstorm that hit the estate was a lowering of the following year's crop, which has resulted in rich, tannic wines. Estate Manager Thomas Duroux opted to give the 2012s more time in barrel than is customary and the wines were bottled in September 2014. Antonio Galloni.
WS 93 (3/2015): Offers a lovely velvety feel, with plum sauce, red currant paste and lilac notes melded together. Subtle but persistent toast accents everything, with an inlaid iron hint hanging in the background. Shows range, weight and length, with all the elements draping nicely on the finish. Approachable now, exhibiting good mouthfeel, but this could benefit from time in the cellar. Best from 2017 through 2025. 7,500 cases made. |
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| Ch. Pape-Clement |
2012 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,141.97 |
1 |
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WA 97 (4/2015): The iconic 2012 Pape Clement is a candidate for near-perfection as well as one of the wines of the vintage. From proprietor Bernard Magrez, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. This extraordinary vineyard (a few miles to the west of Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion) has hit all the highlights of this vintage. Interestingly, the quality of the Pomerols and Graves wines in 2012 is closer to what one would consider a great vintage than the general image of 2012. This is truly great wine and not far off their magnificent 2005 and 2010. Full-bodied, with rich cassis, subtle burning embers and spice followed by velvety, well-integrated tannins, the wine is lush, expansive, savory and profound. This is a remarkable wine that could be drunk at a reasonably young age, but should cellar brilliantly for a quarter-century. Yields were modest at 37 hectoliters per hectare from this 132-acre estate. The alcohol level came in at 13.5%.
WS 94 (3/2015): Densely packed, with lots of dark steeped currant, fig and blackberry fruit, slowly melding with muscular licorice snap, bramble, singed bay and ganache notes. The long, dark, ganache-coated finish isn't shy, but an enticing rusticity keeps this honest. A large-scaled wine that has really powered up since the barrel tasting. Best from 2018 through 2027. 12,500 cases made.
NM 92-94 (4/2013): Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The Grand Vin is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon that was cropped between 4th and 18th October at 37hl/ha. There is a lot of oak to be absorbed on the nose, although there appears to be plenty of brambly dark berry fruit to soak it up. It is slightly broody compared to the 2011 last year and will hopefully open up after bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy, plump, ripe tannins and crisp acidity. It is harmonious and focused, good volume here, with a strict finish that displays good tension, although there is a slight dryness coming through on the aftertaste.
JS 93 (2/2015): This is rich and decadent with lots of wet earth, tobacco, berries and hints of cedar. Full body, round and velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Better in 2018. |
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2012 |
Pessac Leognan (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$577.97 |
1 |
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WA 97 (4/2015): The iconic 2012 Pape Clement is a candidate for near-perfection as well as one of the wines of the vintage. From proprietor Bernard Magrez, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. This extraordinary vineyard (a few miles to the west of Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion) has hit all the highlights of this vintage. Interestingly, the quality of the Pomerols and Graves wines in 2012 is closer to what one would consider a great vintage than the general image of 2012. This is truly great wine and not far off their magnificent 2005 and 2010. Full-bodied, with rich cassis, subtle burning embers and spice followed by velvety, well-integrated tannins, the wine is lush, expansive, savory and profound. This is a remarkable wine that could be drunk at a reasonably young age, but should cellar brilliantly for a quarter-century. Yields were modest at 37 hectoliters per hectare from this 132-acre estate. The alcohol level came in at 13.5%.
WS 94 (3/2015): Densely packed, with lots of dark steeped currant, fig and blackberry fruit, slowly melding with muscular licorice snap, bramble, singed bay and ganache notes. The long, dark, ganache-coated finish isn't shy, but an enticing rusticity keeps this honest. A large-scaled wine that has really powered up since the barrel tasting. Best from 2018 through 2027. 12,500 cases made.
NM 92-94 (4/2013): Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The Grand Vin is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon that was cropped between 4th and 18th October at 37hl/ha. There is a lot of oak to be absorbed on the nose, although there appears to be plenty of brambly dark berry fruit to soak it up. It is slightly broody compared to the 2011 last year and will hopefully open up after bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy, plump, ripe tannins and crisp acidity. It is harmonious and focused, good volume here, with a strict finish that displays good tension, although there is a slight dryness coming through on the aftertaste.
JS 93 (2/2015): This is rich and decadent with lots of wet earth, tobacco, berries and hints of cedar. Full body, round and velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Better in 2018. |
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| Ch. Pavie |
2012 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,379.98 |
1 |
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VM 95 (1/2016): The 2012 Pavie has been impressive on the two occasions I have tasted it so far. Exotic scents of graphite, smoke, new leather and dark fruit open up first. Deep, intense and rich, especially within the context of the year, the 2012 finds greater finesse and nuance with time in bottle. Pavie is a rare 2012 that is going to require time in bottle, as the tannins are imposing at this early stage. I imagine the 2012 will be divine in another few years. Even today, it is exceptionally well-balanced and harmonious in the modern-day flamboyant Pavie style. The 2012 is 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon that spend 28 months in barrel. Antonio Galloni.
WA 95 (4/2015): The 2012 Pavie celebrates its reclassification and upgrade to Class A St.-Emilion by sporting a new black label with gold print. Fortunately, every Pavie has benefitted since Perse began a complete makeover of this estate in 1998. From 47-year-old vines, the 2012 has an inky purple color, judicious toasty oak in the nose interwoven with copious blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, Christmas spices, as well as licorice and graphite. Full-bodied, rich and moderately tannic, it will require 5-7 years of bottle age but should drink well for 20-30 years. Kudos to Chantal and Gerard Perse for their extraordinary commitment to quality, which is so evident in this more challenging vintage than some of the great years like 2009 and 2010. Very low yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare were obtained from this 92-acre estate.
WS 95 (3/2017): A beauty, with rich and supple plum and blackberry confiture notes that stream along over a dense but velvety structure. The licorice and toast aspect is more restrained here, and there are long, cool menthol, apple wood and earth accents through the finish. Best from 2018 through 2030.
JS 95 (3/2018): What a gorgeous wine with violet and sandalwood character on the nose and palate. Medium to full body. Fine tannins. Love it now. |
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| Ch. Pavie Decesse |
2012 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$840.97 |
5 |
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WA 95+ (4/2015): From Chantal and Gerard Perse, this St.-Emilion is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It is interesting that the small vineyard of 8.5 acres (which I have walked) sits above Pavie on a steep, pure limestone outcrop. This is the quintessential limestone-based wine, with a liquor of powdered chalk mixed with cassis and blackberry. Very concentrated (almost painfully so), this highly extracted, full-bodied, massive, rich and powerful wine needs cellaring. Everything is present for a great future. This is one of the superstars of the vintage. Unfortunately, production of Pavis Decesse is minuscule, as a large section of the vineyard was incorporated into Pavie. This wine, with its opaque purple color and great density and richness is a connoisseur’s dream. Forget it for 5-8 years and drink it over the following three decades.
VM 94 (1/2016): Radiant and sexy in the glass, the 2012 Pavie-Decesse is the most gracious of the three top wines in Gerard Perse's lineup. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, menthol and licorice are some of the notes that fused together in this beautifully focused, layered wine. Hints of violet and lavender add the closing shades of nuance. Silky tannins give the Pavie-Decesse plenty of early appeal, but there is also more than enough depth for the 2012 to drink well for a number of years. The 2012 is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, from vines that are 50 years old on average. Antonio Galloni. |
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| Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux |
2012 |
Margaux (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,134.97 |
2 |
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| Ch. Pontet Canet |
2012 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,247.97 |
1 |
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VM 93+ (1/2016): A wine of real class, pedigree and distinction, the 2012 Pontet-Canet is absolutely gorgeous. The flavors are beautifully nuanced and delineated throughout. Bright floral notes add lift and sensuality. The 2012 is decidedly understated next to some other recent vintages, but the magic of this site simply won't be denied. This is another sublime wine from proprietor Alfred Tesseron. Antonio Galloni.
WA 93 (5/2020): Deep garnet in color, the 2012 Pontet-Canet gives up a profound earthy/savory nose, revealing notes of tilled soil, woodsmoke, mossy tree bark, fungi and bouquet garni with a core of raspberry preserves, boysenberries and dried cherries plus a hint of warm cassis. Medium-bodied, it has a firm grainy texture and a softly spoken, savory character in the mouth, finishing with lingering oolong tea and dried herbs notes. |
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| Ch. Potensac |
2012 |
Medoc (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$392.98 |
9 |
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WA 90 (1/2016): Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Potensac surpassed my expectations from barrel, because as I stated back then, it has developed more flesh to counterbalance those prenatal hard tannins. It has an attractive if unspectacular raspberry, strawberry and tobacco-scented bouquet, quite closed at first, opaque, but opening with several minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe blackberry fruit laced with tobacco and sea salt. I appreciate the finish here. There is satisfying substance, a gentle grip and a classic pencil lead, almost Pauillac-like finish. Enjoy this upstanding Medoc from Jean-Hubert Delon over the next 10-12 years.
VM 89 (1/2016): Dark red cherry, plum, spice and menthol are all pushed forward in the 2012 Potensac. Supple, dark and nicely layered in the glass, this supple Medoc is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. The 2012 is 48% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Cabernet Franc. This is a successful wine for the year, with a level of quality that really justifies the existence of a second wine. Drink it over the next handful of years. Antonio Galloni.
JS 89 (2/2015): A silky and refined Potensac and very well done for the vintage. Medium body, fine tannins and crisp acidity. Lots of citrus and raspberry character. Drink or hold.
WS 88 (7/2015): Features dark cherry and red currant fruit, allied to a brambly spine, with anise and savory accents on the finish. Not too dense or taut, exhibiting good energy overall. Drink now through 2019. 18,000 cases made. |
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| Clos de Sarpe |
2012 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$968.97 |
2 |
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| WA 91 (5/2018): Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2012 Clos de Sarpe has a gorgeous black cherries, black raspberries and crème de cassis nose with touches of mocha, licorice, lavender and menthol. Very big, full-bodied, rich and minted in the mouth, it has a velvety texture and fantastic freshness, finishing long and multilayered. |
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| Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte |
2012 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,353.97 |
1 |
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VM 95 (1/2016): A dark, sensual wine, the 2012 Smith Haut Lafitte boasts marvelous depth and textural richness. Dark red stone fruits, leather, smoke, tobacco, gravel and herbs are laced together in an expansive wine endowed with terrific purity. The tannins are going to need at least a few years to soften, but there is clearly quite a bit to look forward to.
JS 95 (2/2015): Aromas of cream, cooked apples and pears follow through to a full body with toasted-oak, cream and vanilla character buttressed by plenty of fruit. So much peach and apricot character. This a bright and flamboyant wine for the vintage. One of the best dry whites. Drink or hold.
WS 94 (3/2015): Layered fig, boysenberry and blackberry pâte de fruit notes are buttressed by ample, yet polished and integrated, ganache-coated tannins, while accents of black tea, ganache and tar course underneath. A really gorgeous display of fruit, showing terroir and cut on the finish. Best from 2018 through 2027. 10,000 cases made. |
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| Ch. du Tertre |
2012 |
Margaux |
$59 |
23 |
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| Ch. Troplong Mondot |
2012 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,483.97 |
4 |
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JD 97 (1/2018): A flat-out gorgeous wine in the vintage is the 2012 Troplong Mondot, which sports an inky ruby/purple color to go with heavenly notes of black currants, smoked earth, plums, licorice and graphite. Full-bodied, seamless, ultra-pure and impressively concentrated, this blockbuster effort needs 3-4 years in the cellar to let the tannins integrate, and it will knock your socks off over the following two decades.
WA 96 (4/2015): The 2012 is another truly great wine from Troplong Mondot. It’s always sentimental to taste this wine, realizing that proprietress Christine Valette (the larger-than-life heart and soul behind this estate) has passed away. She was one of the bright, shining stars of Bordeaux. Nevertheless, her legacy is certainly well-established, and the quality of this wine is beyond reproach. Inky bluish purple, its great notes of cassis, blackberry, licorice are followed by a full-bodied, opulently textured wine with stunning concentration, purity and overall balance. It should drink well for 20-25 years and turn out to be one of the great superstars of 2012. Their 63-acre vineyard was cropped at 31 hectoliters per hectare, producing a final blend of 90% Merlot and 10 Cabernet Sauvignon that achieved 14.2% alcohol.
JS 94 (2/2015): This is concentrated and impressive for the vintage with beautiful ripe fruit, minerals, chocolate and light-coffee character. Full body, polished tannins and a long finish. Better in 2018.
WS 93 (3/2015): Offers a solid, if slightly chunky, feel, with ganache and charcoal notes coating the core of dark currant preserves, fig paste and warmed plum fruit. Shows lots of smoldering tobacco accents on the finish. Pretty grippy for the vintage, but this is headed in a promising direction. Cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2018 through 2025. 6,250 cases made. |
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2012 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$677.99 |
2 |
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JD 97 (1/2018): A flat-out gorgeous wine in the vintage is the 2012 Troplong Mondot, which sports an inky ruby/purple color to go with heavenly notes of black currants, smoked earth, plums, licorice and graphite. Full-bodied, seamless, ultra-pure and impressively concentrated, this blockbuster effort needs 3-4 years in the cellar to let the tannins integrate, and it will knock your socks off over the following two decades.
WA 96 (4/2015): The 2012 is another truly great wine from Troplong Mondot. It’s always sentimental to taste this wine, realizing that proprietress Christine Valette (the larger-than-life heart and soul behind this estate) has passed away. She was one of the bright, shining stars of Bordeaux. Nevertheless, her legacy is certainly well-established, and the quality of this wine is beyond reproach. Inky bluish purple, its great notes of cassis, blackberry, licorice are followed by a full-bodied, opulently textured wine with stunning concentration, purity and overall balance. It should drink well for 20-25 years and turn out to be one of the great superstars of 2012. Their 63-acre vineyard was cropped at 31 hectoliters per hectare, producing a final blend of 90% Merlot and 10 Cabernet Sauvignon that achieved 14.2% alcohol.
JS 94 (2/2015): This is concentrated and impressive for the vintage with beautiful ripe fruit, minerals, chocolate and light-coffee character. Full body, polished tannins and a long finish. Better in 2018.
WS 93 (3/2015): Offers a solid, if slightly chunky, feel, with ganache and charcoal notes coating the core of dark currant preserves, fig paste and warmed plum fruit. Shows lots of smoldering tobacco accents on the finish. Pretty grippy for the vintage, but this is headed in a promising direction. Cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2018 through 2025. 6,250 cases made. |
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| Ch. Trotanoy |
2012 |
Pomerol (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,443.97 |
1 |
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| WA 96 (4/2015): A spectacular Pomerol that is dense ruby/purple with notes of beef blood, crème de cassis, black cherry liqueur, licorice, iron, and perhaps a touch of truffle. Full-bodied, opulent and clearly a blockbuster of 2012,this profound wine offers serious competition for Petrus and several other limited-production, high-quality Pomerols. This is a stunner from the Moueix firm and should age well for 20-25 years. The final blend was 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with only 2,000 cases produced. |
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| Ch. Trotte Vieille |
2012 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$896.98 |
2 |
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| Ch. Valandraud |
2012 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$830.99 |
2 |
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WA 95+ (4/2015): A tribute to the partnership of Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud, the 2012 Valandraud is a magnificent wine and one of the superstars of the vintage. Inky purple, with notes of white chocolate, crème de cassis, blackberry fruit and lively background minerality, it has great precision, acidity, sweet tannin and a voluptuous full-bodied mouthfeel. It is very vigorous, young and backward, but bursting with unbelievable potential. This is a fabulous effort from perfectionists Andraud and Thunevin. Thunevin, the father of the “garagiste” movement in St.-Emilion, usually fashions this wine from a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, from 11 acres sprinkled throughout the appellation. Drink it between 2020-2035.
WS 94 (3/2015): This is well-endowed, with thick, velvety layers of crushed fig, boysenberry and blackberry fruit that meld with racy graphite notes. Lots of licorice root and alder accents line the finish, giving the fruit a textural contrast. The length lets everything sail on. A beauty. Best from 2017 through 2030. 1,250 cases made.
NM 93-95 (4/2013): Now sporting its Premier Grand Cru Classe strip, the 2012 has a very controlled, focused bouquet with pure blackcurrant, cassis and boysenberry aromas that are well defined, perhaps less opulent than recent vintages. The palate is ripe and generous on the entry. The tannins gently grip the mouth and it rises to a suave, vanillary finish with plenty of ripe red berry fruit that will absorb the oak during its elevage. Sublime.
JS 93 (2/2015): Beautiful nose showing candied black cherries with floral and chalky notes. Lots of dark fruits. Full body, soft tannins, good acidity and long, fruity finish. Refined style of Valandraud. Better in 2017. |
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| Vieux Chateau Certan |
2012 |
Pomerol (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,070.99 |
2 |
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