En Primeur Bordeaux 2012

Aromas of chocolate, melted caramel, toffee and black cherry jam emerge from this sexy, full-bodied, lush wine. Consume it over the next 7-8 years. Given what proprietor Denis Durantou accomplished at his flagship estate of l’Eglise Clinet, it is not surprising that his Lalande de Pomerol is another brilliant wine as well as a major sleeper of the vintage. Harvested between September 21 and October 1, the 2012 Les Cruzelles is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Score: 90 - 92 Robert Parker Maturity: 2013-2021

A high-toned style, with pure violet, red currant and pomegranate notes, featuring a sleek, iron-tinged finish. Fresh and focused.

Score: 89 - 92 James Molesworth

Lots of blueberries and blackberries with a tangy acidity and freshness. Full body, with juicy fruit and a clean crisp finish. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Score: 89 - 90 James Suckling

Bright, engaging and with good range, as green almond, pear, pineapple, honeysuckle and heather notes are already emerging. Good juicy feel through the finish, too.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth

The 2012 Doisy-Daene has a light bouquet of honeysuckle and elderflower that presently does not possess the same minerality and race as recent vintages. But still, with patience the nascent wine gains vigor in the glass and offers pleasant dried honey aromas. The palate is much more convincing, with a lively opening with a wonderful seam of citric acidity, precise orange zest and marmalade notes with a hint of spice toward the finish. This is not a complex Doisy-Daene, but it has overcome the challenges of the growing season to offer a delightful Barsac. Bravo professeur!

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin

Bright pale greenish gold. Reticent on the nose. Strong barley-sugar flavours but fine freshness to balance the sugar. Pure and zesty and very long.

Score: 17 Julia Harding MW Maturity: 2022-2032

Quite lively, with a floral edge to the white peach, pineapple and heather notes. Good freshness and definition.

Score: 89 - 92 James Molesworth

The 2012 Doisy-Vedrines has a typically forthright, honeyed, nectarine-scented bouquet that does not quite possess the complexity or nuance of recent successes. The palate is well-balanced with plenty of viscous, tropical-tinged fruit cut through by crisp acidity, though the finish is a little disjointed at the moment. I believe this Barsac will come together during barrel maturation and it will constitute a commendable short to medium-term wine.

Score: 88 - 90 Neal Martin

Pure fruited: citrus and a touch of pineapple and ripe apple. Delicately honeyed. Sour/fresh on the palate. Lively and bright if not yet complex.

Score: 16 - 17 Julia Harding MW Maturity: 2021-2030

A gorgeous effort, the 2012 Domaine de Chevalier, made from a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon that reached 13.5% natural alcohol, boasts abundant notes of crème brulee, lemon custard, candle wax and oranges in its beautifully rich, honeyed personality. Great acidity gives laser-like precision to its component parts. Drink this full-bodied white wine over the next 2-3 decades.

Score: 93 - 95 Robert Parker Maturity: 2013-2016

Sweet and rather oily start. Lots of weight. Could only be Pessac-Léognan - tant mieux! Big and beefy but not sweet. I admire this style - for food. Long, with an admirably dry finish.

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW Maturity: 2014-2024

Good, floral-framed style, with honeysuckle and chamomile notes followed by Meyer lemon, meringue and shortbread flavors. Very juicy through the finish, with a nice stony backdrop for added cut.

Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth

This is very tender and pretty with very fine elements. Dried lemons, minerals and lilac as well as character of oyster shell and iodine. Full body, yet refined and long. You normally see this sort complex character in reds from Pessac-Léognan. Fascinating young white.

Score: 94 - 95 James Suckling

One of the stars of the vintage, it boasts a dense purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of red and black currants, graphite, subtle flowers and well-integrated, toasty oak. Impressively built rich and medium to full-bodied without losing the quintessential elegance and finesse for which this famous estate is renowned, the 2012 Domaine de Chevalier is filled with purity, equilibrium and balance. The tannins are sweet enough that this wine should be accessible when released, and will last for 15-20 years. Is this a modern day clone of their brilliant 1953 (which I drank from magnum at Bern’s Steak House in November for less than $500!)?

Score: 92 - 95 Robert Parker Maturity: 2013-2033

Very dark crimson. Very concentrated and interesting on the nose. Sweet and voluptuous. Perhaps lacking a teensy amount of energy and drive. And the tannins are a little drying on the end. Acidity and grip are marked. Very much work in progress. As usual. (16.5++ Points)

Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW Maturity: 2018-2030

Fresh and nicely polished, with a rounded feel to the mix of plum skin, cherry preserve and currant notes. Alluring spice and dark tea notes fill in the finish. Sneakily long.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth

This shows wonderful depth of fruit with blackberries, blueberry and spice. Minerals too. Full body, with beautiful and silky tannins and a long, long finish. Superb finish. Sensational for the vintage.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling