88 2012 Bordeaux retasted

Retasting these 2012's mostly confirmed my impressions from April. The vintage have a purity of fruit to it and a freshness of acidity that makes them feel refreshing. Some reports state that the acidity is lower than usual, but that is something that is not showing on the palate much. The same with the high tannin content in many fact sheets, which again is much more difficult to detect on the palate as the tannins for the most part is very ripe and integrated as a whole. 

Mr. Pontallier of Château Margaux told me that he felt 2012 is probably the best of the very good vintage below the superb ones since 2000. Meaning below '00, '03, '05, '09 and '10 and in front of '01, '04, '06, '08 and '11. He included '02 and '07 as well, but for me they are clearly the weakest vintages of the last twelve years, even if '07 is often superb for dry whites and Sauternes. 

Many proclaim Pomerol to be the winner of the vintage, and yes, there are some superb wines like Conseillante which is pure, elegant and magnificent, but some are also a bit rich and lacks nuances. Pessac-Léognan which for me is more inconsistent than usual gets some aclaim, and there are some excellent wines for sure, but in my book, to many great estates have delivered below par.  Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion and Domaine de Chevalier have made excellent stuff this vintage. 

Médoc have faired well with some excellent wines and even great value with the released prices out now. Clerc Milon, Rauzan-Ségla, Brane-Cantenac, Gruaud-Larose and several others spring to mind. Even the First Growths released fairly fair prices that makes them reachable for a far wider audience. At these prices, the bottles might be popped as well, and that is still the idea of a wine isn't it? 

Saint-Émilion still have overextraction issues even if they seem to become less extracted each vintage on the whole. That is a good thing as too many have been for competitions only, and not for drinking pleasure. Sauternes had problems, but there are some excellent and pure ones for early consumption this vintage, and you will be surprised of the quality, believe me. They are refined and pure, but lacks the botrytised richness of some vintages. Think of it as a Riesling Auslese style of Sauternes. 

Pessac-Léognan Blanc

2012 Château Bouscaut Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Minerals, fruity nose, lemons and floral. Fresh acidity, slightly bitter like lemon peel, fruity, good length. 89

2012 Château Carbonnieux Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Minerals, citrus and fruity notes on the nose. Fresh acidity, elegant and crisp citrusfinish, long. 92-93

2012 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, elegant and refreshing nose. Fresh acidity, elegant, lively and fruity, very long. 95-96

2012 Château de Fieuzal Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples and minerals nose. Fresh acidity, elegant and lively, shows better than during primeur. 91-92

2012 Château Haut-Brion Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Layered nose, fruity, citrus, minerals, peaches, apples, scented and floral nose, layered and nuanced. Fresh acidity, lively elegant and again nuanced, slightly creamy texture, very long. 96

2012 Château La Louvière Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, grapefruit and minerals. Fresh acidity, fatter texture going over to a livelier and more refreshing finish. Good length. 89

2012 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, lime and scented nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, somewhat bitter finish, good length. 88

2012 Château Latour- Martillac Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons and minerals on the nose. Fresh acidity, fatter body, fruity, somewhat rich, long. 91

2012 Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals and yellow fruits on the nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, lively and a sweet fruit touch, long. 90

2012 Château Olivier Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, flinty and citrus nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, lively, elegant and refreshing, playful and long. 92-93

2012 Château Pape Clément Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Apples and yellow fruits on the nose. Freshish acidity, richer, fatterand fruity, style, rounded, long. 90

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc:

Pale lemon yellow. Fruity, lime, minerals, citrus flowers and scented nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded and elegant texture, almost creamy, slight bitter finish, long. 94

Pessac-Léognan Rouge:

2012 Château Bouscaut Rouge:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and mineral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and nuanced, refreshing and long. 92

2012 Château Carbonnieux Rouge:

Deep ruby.nfruity, scented, heavier and deeper nose, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, bigger now than during primeur, long. 90

2012 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge:

Deep ruby. Scented, nuanced, layered and complex nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, nuanced, elegant and lovely balance, long. 94

2012 Château de Fieuzal Rouge:

Deep ruby. Scented, floral, red and black berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded body and texture, long. 91

2012 Château Haut-Bailly:

Deep ruby. Rasp- and blackberries, fresh, fruity, elegant, complex and layered nose. Nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, tannic backbone, long. 94

2012 Château La Louvière Rouge:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, a bit of a ball, good length. 88

2012 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion Rouge:

Deep ruby. Vanilla and daker fruits on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, riper feel, dark berries, fruity, good length. 88

2012 Château Latour-Martillac Rouge:

Deep ruby. Floral, fruity, some minerals on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, slightly herbal and a bitter tone to it, long. 90

2012 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion:

Deep ruby. Fruity and slightly alcoholic nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and tanninc, long. 90

2012 Château Malartic-Lagravière Rouge:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented, ripe and dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and eleganttexture, long. 92

2012 Château Olivier Rouge:

Deep ruby. Scented, some herbs and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and elegant, long. 92

2012 Château Pape Clément Rouge:

Deep ruby. Fruity, deep and ripe nose, sweet. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, quite lively acidity actually, elegant fruit, long. 92

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and ripe nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, fruity palate, long. 91

Saint-Émilion:

2012 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented, blackberries and complex nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe and quite lively, long. 92

2012 Château Figeac:

Ruby. Some herbs, fruity and scented nose, transparent feel to it. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, elegant and long. 93

2012 Clos Fourtet:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh and lively, long. 94

2012 Château Troplong Mondot:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented, deep and rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, refreshing even if richer style, long. 92

Pomerol:

2012 Château Beauregard:

Ruby. Scented, fruity, berries and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and elegant palate, long. 93

2012 Château Gazin:

Ruby. Fruity. Scented and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and quite lively, rounded off a bit since April, long. 93

2012 Château. la Cabanne:

Deep ruby. Scented, fruity and dark berries on the nose, quite intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and fruity, lovely balance, long. 90-91

2012 Château La Conseillante:

Ruby. Scented, elegant, layered, complex and refined nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, lively, superb texture, gorgeous balance, very long indeed. Pure. 95-96

2012 Château La Croix de Gay:

Ruby. Fruity, lively, elegant and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and quite lively, long. 90

2012 Château La Pointe:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and elegant, much more together now than the two tastings I had of this in April. 90

2012 Château Le Bon Pasteur:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented, richer and riper feel than in April. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, quite elegant but on the rich side, lacks some nuances. 89

Moulis-en-Médoc:

2012 Chasse-Spleen:

Deep ruby. Fruity, rich and intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, elegant and on the rich side, good length. 88

2012 Château Poujeaux:

Deep ruby. Scented, fruity and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, godd length. 89

Haut-Médoc:

2012 Château Cantemerle:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and lively, long. 90

2012 Château Citran:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and a touch of herbs on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweetish fruity palate, good length. 87

2012 Château La Lagune:

Deep ruby. Fruity and rounded nose. Easy going for this estate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, easy going and fruity. 88

Médoc:

2012 Château La Tour de By:

Deep ruby. Fruity, minerals and dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and quite lively, good length. 88

Margaux:

2012 Château Angludet:

Deep ruby. Fruity, floral and herbs on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and good length. 89

2012 Château Brane-Cantenac:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and elegant palate, lively, complex and long. 93-94

2012 Château Cantenac Brown:

Deep ruby. Scented, red berries, floral and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and refreshing, elegant and nuanced, long.93

2012 Château Dauzac:

Deep ruby. Fruity, fresh and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively and refreshing, elegant and long. 90-91

2012 Château Desmirail:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and chocolate nose, deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and quite lively, good length. 89

2012 Château du Tertre:

Deep ruby. Fruity and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, playful and lively, elegant, good length. 89

2012 Château Ferrière:

Deep ruby. Ripe, fresh and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe and sweet style for Ferrière, still refreshing. Long. 90

2012 Château Giscours:

Deep ruby. Fruity and rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and rounded, might impress some but to simple and short compared to other vintages, tasted three times to confirm this.(Three different bottle samples) 89

2012 Château Kirwan:

Deep ruby. Fruity, richer and ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and rounded palate, could be more nuanced, long. 90

2012 Château Labégorce:

Deep ruby. Scented and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, elegant and long. 90

2012 Château Lascombes:

Deep ruby. Rich and dark berries nose, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweet, ripe and rich, to easy going. 88

2012 Château Marquis de Terme:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe and good length. 89

2012 Château Monbrison:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, refreshing, lovely balance, good length. 89

2012 Château Priuré-Lichine:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and long. 90

2012 Château Rauzan-Gassies:

Ruby. Fruity, ripe berries and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and fruity, lovely texture, long. 90

2012 Château Siran:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and mints nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and quite elegant palate. Good length. 87

Saint-Julien:

2012 Château Beychevelle:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, elegant and long. 92

2012 Château Branaire-Ducru:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and pure feel on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and elegant, quite refined, long. 92-93

2012 Château Gloria:

Ruby. Fruity and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and lively, good length. 89

2012 Château Gruaud Larose:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, elegant and refined, playful and long. Tasted four times from primeur until now, beautiful. 93-94

2012 Château Lagrange:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe and elegant, good length. 89

2012 Château Langoa Barton:

Ruby. Scented, layered and nuanced nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, lively and long. Showing better than in April. 91

2012 Château Léoville Barton:

Ruby. Scenyed, fruity, elegant and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and lively, refreshing, superb texture. Long. 93-94

2012 Château Léoville Poyferré:

Ruby. Fruity and rich noe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant if ripe palate, long. 91

2012 Château Saint-Pierre:

Ruby. Scented, floral and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and lively, long. 91-92

2012 Château Talbot:

Ruby. Scented and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded and long. 92

Pauillac:

2012 Château Batailley:

Ruby. Fruity if a bit rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tanni s, fruity, easy going, good length. 87

2012 Château Clerc Milon:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and layered nose. Fresh acidoty, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and elegant, refreshing, lovely texture and balance, tasted three times from primeur until now, lovely. 93-94

2012 Château d'Armailhac:

Ruby. Fruity, scented and intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and refined, long and playful. 93

2012 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse:

Ruby. Fruity and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and elegant, long. 90

2012 Château Grand- Puy-Lacoste:

Deep ruby. Scented, fruity and complex nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, elegant and nuanced, showing better than both times I tasted it during primeur. 92

2012 Château Haut-Bages Libéral:

Ruby. Herbs and scented nose, a bit lean. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing, elegant and easy going, good length. 89

2012 Château Lynch-Bages:

Deep ruby. Fruity and raspberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and fairly intense, lacks something it seems, long. 90-91

2012 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande:

Ruby. Scented, fruity and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, refined and pure feel, long. 93-94

Saint-Estèphe:

2012 Château Cos Labory:

Runy. Fruity, scented and ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively, elegant and long. 90

2012 Château de Pez:

Deep ruby. Fruity and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively and elegant, good length. 89

2012 Château Lafon-Rochet:

Deep ruby. Scented and dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and elegant, another one showing better and more together than during primeur, towards long. 89-90

2012 Château Ormes de Pez:

Deep ruby. Fruity and minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and lively, herbal beneath, good length. 88

2012 Château Phélan Ségur:

Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and almost minerals notes on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe yannins, fruity and lively, elegant, slightly lean or maybe rather focused. Showing lovely now and better than two samples during primeur. 92

Sauternes:

2012 Château Coutet:

Pale golden. Very apricots nose, fruity. Fresh acidity, elegant, refreshing and fruity, pure feel, long. 93

2012 Château de Malle:

Pale golden. Apples and tropical fruits on the nose. Fresh acidity, elegant, fruity and lively, long. 90

2012 Château de Rayne Vigneau:

Golden. Fresh, fruity and apricots nose. Fresh acidity, fruity and lively, elegant and rounded, long. 92

2012 Château Doisy-Daëne:

Pale golden. Apples, apricots and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, lively, nuanced and pure, elegant and refined, lovely balance, long. 93-94

2012 Château Doisy-Védrines:

Pale golden. Apples, apricots and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, lively, pure and fruity, a bit short. 89-90

2012 Château La Tour Blanche:

Pale golden. Apples, citrus, minerals and pineapples. Fresh acidity, elegant, lively, pure and refreshing, long. 93-94

2012 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey:

Pale golden. Apples, minerals and teopical fruits on the nose. Fresh acidity, elegant and refined, slightly bitter touch, long. 92-93