En Primeur Bordeaux 2012

The 2012 reveals an opaque ruby/purple color along with sweet tannins, low acidity, medium to full body, and abundant cedary, foresty notes intermixed with black cherries, black currants, caramel and spice box. This medium to full-bodied St.-Estephe should drink well in 4-5 years (atypical for a Calon Segur), and last for two decades. Calon Segur has one of the top dozen terroirs in all of Bordeaux, so I’m waiting to see how spectacular it can become under its new ownership. Certainly the team brought in to push the quality is the right one. I don’t know what the final blend of the relatively soft 2012 was, but I suspect it includes a copious percentage of Merlot, although Cabernet Sauvignon has dominated over recent years.

Score: 90 - 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2017-2037

Lively and some richness. Dry finish. But great vitality. Long and complete with no concessions to the vintage. Not as dense as Montrose. (17+ Points)

Score: - Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2035

Super fresh and floral with raspberry, currant and berry character. Full body, with fine tannins and a long, long finish. Bright and racy. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

A dense ruby/purple color is followed by notes of black raspberries, blueberries, crushed rocks and spring flowers. This medium to full-bodied, well-endowed, authoritative Canon reveals some serious tannin in the finish, so 4-5 years of cellaring will be needed after bottling. It should last 15-20 years. Owned by the Wertheimers (also the proprietors of the enormously successful haut-couture house of Chanel), this is a pure, stylish, nicely textured, impressive effort from a superb terroir on the limestone plateau of St.-Emilion. The final blend was 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, and yields were a modest 35 hectoliters per hectare.

Score: 91 - 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2013-2033

Displays a rather firm coating of chalk dust and vanilla notes, with a core of subdued plum and blackberry fruit. Verges on an extracted feel, but comes out solid and sculpted in the end.

Score: 88 - 91 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

A very silky and elegant wine that finishes beautifully. Full-to-medium body, with well integrated tannins and a refined and pretty finish. It goes on nicely with chocolate, walnuts, hazelnuts, and delicate fruit. Very savory. Lovely texture.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

Highly distinctive notes marked by beef extract and ripe damsons, as well as oak toast. Rather one-dimensional on the palate.

Score: 15 - 16 Julia Harding MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2017-2023

Exotic notes of Christmas fruitcake, cedar wood, cassis, espresso roast and chocolate soar from the glass of this sensual, impressively well-endowed 2012. Full-bodied with silky tannin and well-integrated wood, this beauty is a tribute to the impeccable viticulture and fermentation techniques of Neipperg and his head consultant, Stephane Derenoncourt. This wine will be drinkable upon release and should evolve for 15 years. From brilliant proprietor Stephan von Neipperg, this nearly 50-acre vineyard on the foothills of the limestone plateau of St.-Emilion enjoyed low yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend consisted of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The natural alcohol is 13.5%, about average on the Right Bank in this vintage.

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

Bright and pure, with mingling notes of plum pit, black cherry preserves and steeped currant fruit, all lined with red licorice and well-integrated spice. Shows ample grip, but the tannins are well-buried. Not big, this relies more on accessibility and balance overall.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

This is very intense with beautiful dried flowers and dark fruits and and lovely finish. Lovely depth too. Goes on for minutes. Medium-to-full body.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc - more than usual. Deeply coloured with purple rim. Strong Cabernet Franc character comes through: really zesty fruit with graphite layers. Attractive combination of fruit and dark savour, with the oak showing firmly on the finish at the moment (80% new). But it is fresh too, the tannins fully ripe and compact but not heavy.

Score: 17 Julia Harding MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2028

Cantemerle’s ethereal elegance and racy, classy style are unmistakable in this understated yet pretty, dark ruby-colored 2012. Offering lots of cherry, raspberry and black currant fruit, this is a wine of unmistakable finesse and delicacy. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years.

Score: 89 - 91 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2013-2025

Supple and friendly, with plum and cassis fruit imparting a caressing feel while lightly singed vanilla accents guide the finish.

Score: 86 - 89 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Deep dark crimson. Sweet cherry chocolate on the nose. Rich but fluid. Lively, juicy, fresh and harmonious. Very attractive in a lighter style but has very good length too.

Score: 16 - 17 Julia Harding MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2023

I appreciate the balance of dark fruits and fine tannins in this young wine. Medium-to-full body, with chewy yet polished tannins and a pretty finish. All in finesse for the vintage.

Score: 90 - 91 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

Another full-throttle 2012 dry white, this 2012 offers lots of honeysuckle notes as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel and beautiful purity, elegance and length. Lemon zest, grapefruit and subtle wood characteristics are found in both the aromatic and flavor profiles. Drink this stunning Pessac-Leognan over the next 6-10 years.

Score: 90 - 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2013-2023

Some greenness on the nose. Sweetness on the front palate. Not very integrated. But very distinctive with lots going on. Very youthful and still a bit astringent. Vibrant finish. (16.5+ Points)

Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2021

Solidly built, with lemon pulp and grapefruit rind notes framing a rich core of creamed yellow apple and white peach. Nice minerality drives the finish.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator