Bordeaux: The Sleepers of 2012
Château les Charmes-Godard
Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
The 2012 Les Charmes-Godard, Nicolas Thienpont's Semillon/Sauvignon/Muscadelle blend, is once again terrific. white flowers, lemon peel, white pepper and orchard fruit nuances are bright, focused and wonderfully delineated throughout. Drink this fresh, aromatic white over the next few years. Les Charmes Godard remains one of the most distinctive whites in Bordeaux. The 2012 was vinified and aged in 500L tonneaux, about 25% new. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago
Château Palmer
Alter Ego Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
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 mélange 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. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago
Château Paveil de Luze
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
A powerful, authoritative wine, the 2012 Paveil de Luze is shaping up to be one of the under-the-radar gems of the year. Earthy and smoky notes add nuance, but it is the wine's explosive, deep personality that stands out most. Expressive floral, savory and ferrous notes meld into the expressive finish. Although the 2012 is more power than finesse, it offers exceptional balance and tons of personality. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. This is an impressive effort from Paveil de Luze, a Margaux property that could probably be a classified growth. Simon Blanchard is the consulting winemaker. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago
Château Petit-Figeac
Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
The 2012 Petit-Figeac is everything its name says it is. Wonderfully perfumed and expressive. The 2012 is supple, precise and beautifully delineated from start to finish. Silky tannins and a mid-weight sense of structure give the 2012 its classic feel. Scents of lavender, mint and white flower add an attractive aromatic top register. The Petit-Figeac is one of the hidden gems. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago
Château Haut-Bergey
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
The 2012 Haut-Bergey is plump, juicy and forward. Sweet red cherries, plums, smoke, tobacco, licorice and herbs are all pushed forward in a supple Pessac Léognan to drink over the next few years. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago
Château Joanin Bécot
Côtes de Castillon Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
The 2012 Joanin Bécot is dark, open and quite seductive. Black cherry, plum, spice and leather all meld together in a very pretty, gracious wine with soft contours to drink now and over the next handful of years. The 2012 is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Jean-Philippe Fort is the consulting winemaker. This is a gorgeous wine that delivers superb quality as well as value. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago
Château Petit Village
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
The 2012 Petit-Village is juicy, exuberant and forward, with striking palate presence, silky tannins and terrific overall balance. Sweet floral and spice notes add nuance on the gracious finish. Readers should expect a decidedly feminine, sensual Pomerol with considerable early and mid-term appeal. There is plenty to like here. The Petit-Village could very well be a sleeper of the vintage. In 2012 the blend is 80% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine spent 20 months in barrel, 80% new. Julien Lavenu is the consulting winemaker. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago
Château La Vieille Cure
Fronsac Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
The 2012 La Vieille Cure is once again a real overachiever. Round, succulent and deeply expressive, the 2012 hits all the right notes. A host of raspberry jam, iron, smoke, herb and spice notes meld together in this impressive, voluptuous Fronsac. This is a very strong showing. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago
Château Haut-Segottes
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
The 2012 Haut-Ségottes makes a strong impression. An exuberant yet mid-weight wine, the 2012 possesses striking aromatics, no hard edges and enough depth to drink well for at least a handful of years. This is a gorgeous, under the radar Saint-Emilion that delivers the goods. Hubert de Boüard is the consulting winemaker. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago
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The 2012 Cambon La Pelouse is absolutely gorgeous. Far from an easygoing 2012, the Cambon La Pelouse is going to need at least a year or two in bottle to unwind and shed some of its nervous energy. Savory herbs, tobacco, menthol, spices and dark-fleshed fruit fill out the super-classic Haut-Médoc profile. This is a terrific wine for the vintage. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago