| Winery |
Chateau Margaux 2012 1er GCC |
| Vintage |
2012 |
| Region |
Bordeaux |
| Grape |
Cabernet Sauvignon & Blends |
| Style |
Red Wine |
| Sweetness |
Dry |
| Body |
Medium |
| Tasting note |
The draconian selection – a little less than 34 % of the harvest in the first wine - can for the most part be explained by the heterogeneity of the 2012 vintage, which is mainly due to the hydric stress experienced by young vines and sensitive terroirs. How disappointing not to have been able to add this fabulous plot of young 13-year-old Cabernets, which had done so well in 2010 and 2011, to the first wine! But how wonderful to see our greatest plots of mature vines reach such heights of concentration and elegance! The Cabernet Sauvignons (87% of the blend) are remarkable: powerful, dense, full-bodied and refined. The two usual batches of Merlot (10%) as well as the small batch of Cabernet Franc (2%) that usually join them didn’t fail but aren’t better than in 2011. As for our only old plot of Petit Verdot, it produced a superb wine, very different from the younger ones.
Our best press wines, which are the fruit of a stringent selection, bring to this year’s blend both a density and remarkable flesh, without depriving it of its finesse. It is sometimes forgotten that they are the concentrate of the free-run wines’ qualities and flaws, and that rigorous work is all that is needed to exploit their amazing potential.
Château Margaux 2012 is “almost” a great vintage, ultimately not that far removed from the 2010. It has more power, and the same purity, balance and charm, perhaps a little less depth? In any case it’s a good step above the 2011. |
| Rating |
RP92-94 / Deacanter 95+ |
| ABV |
13% |
| Size |
750ml |
