En Primeur Bordeaux 2012

The elegant, softer-styled 2012 Bon Pasteur is reminiscent of the 1999 and, if it puts on some weight, the outstanding 2001. The 2012 exhibits hints of mocha, cherry liqueur, damp earth and berry fruit. Medium-bodied, round and seductive with soft tannins, this attractive, lighter-weight effort should drink well for 10-15 years.

Score: 89 - 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2013-2028

A ripe, toasted and well-spiced style, with cinnamon and anise notes wrapping the core of raspberry pâte de fruit and plum sauce. A twinge of plum skin shows on the finish, delivering lightly dusty tannins and good polish overall.

Score: 88 - 91 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

This is a seamless 2012 with fine tannins and plenty of subtle fruit. Outstanding length. Well done.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

Lively pure cassis fruit, a little malty from the oak. Tough on the palate, without a deep enough layer of fruit for the drying tannins.

Score: 15 - 16 Julia Harding MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2022

Some bright and fresh blackberry and licorice character. Medium body with integrated tannins and a fresh finish. A little hollow but very clean.

Score: 89 - 90 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

The 2012 Branaire Ducru is a seductive effort that is a credit to this chateau, which did not try to over-extract or push the fruit past what it was capable of providing. The result is an elegant, pretty, mid-weight wine with soft, velvety tannin, spicy mulberry and black cherry fruit, hints of spring flowers and loamy soil undertones, medium body and a moderate finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.

Score: 88 - 90 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2013-2025

Dark crimson. Sweet, fragrant, rather floral nose. Opulent. Not at all typical of the vintage! Round and flattering. Some real energy here but not that true to type, though there are some nice dry appetising tannins on the finish. (17- Points)

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2032

Light, racy and pure, with red currant and cherry pit notes driving a solid hint of rooibos tea on the finish. The finely beaded acidity keeps this going. Not big, but persistent and showing considerable finesse.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

A beauty from Henri Lurton, the 2012 Brane Cantenac exhibits classic notes of spring flowers intermixed with black raspberries, black currants and damp forest floor. This medium-bodied, sweet, ripe, quintessentially elegant, medium-bodied Margaux is nicely concentrated as well as sexy. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years.

Score: 90 - 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2013-2025

Dark crimson. Firm, fully ripe palate (contrasts with the lesser appellations of the southern Médoc). Spreads across the palate. Quite lip smacking and well judged. Not too sweet and, just, not too oaky. Broad.

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2034

Plush, with a legitimate structure buried in the core of steeped plum and blackberry fruit. A warm stone note lurks in the background. Well-rendered.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

A wine with currant and berry character. Full body, with chewy tannins that are polished and juicy. Solid core of fruit yet harmonious for the vintage. Like it better than 2011.

Score: 90 - 91 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

A blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2012 boasts a dense blue/purple color along with a sweet perfume of unsmoked cigar tobacco, bay leaf, black currants, plums and licorice. With medium to full body, impressive concentration, ripe, velvety tannins, decent acidity, and only a background note of wood, it can be consumed over the next 10-15 years. Owned by Helene Garcin-Leveque (also the proprietor of the neighboring Haut-Bergey), this small estate possesses an exquisite terroir.

Score: 92 - 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2013-2028

Extremely dark crimson. Almost as though concentrated. Almost bitter. Much more marked tannin than most of these wines. In fact one of the very few with aggressive tannins! Exaggerated. Over extracted? Uncomfortable.

Score: 15 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2025

Pure and polished, with very suave tannins caressing the plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit, while singed spice, melted black licorice and black tea fill in on the finish. This opens steadily in the glass, too, showing superior depth, but also restraint.

Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator