Wine Words & Video Tape

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Bordeaux 2012 In Bottle: St Estèphe

Written by JW. Posted in Bordeaux

033Five St Estèphe properties tasted back in October were pretty much in keeping with the appellation’s character as well as the style of the 2012 vintage. Top crus Château Cos d’Estournel, Château Montrose and Château Calon Ségur don’t show at the UGCB, but there was plenty of finesse displayed by Château Lafon-Rochet. Château Ormes de Pez, Château de Pez and Château Phélan Ségur were consistent, with good fruit and attractive harmony. Château Cos Labory was chewy but should settle.

Below are the full notes on the wines tasted during the Union des Grands Crus tasting. Up soon: a comprehensive overview of 2010 top Bordeaux following the MW Institute’s November tasting. Happy Christmas/Happy Holidays in the meantime 🙂

Château Cos Labory

Mid depth; deep at centre; soft and easy aromatics; chewy fruit on the palate with some grippy qualities. Chewy finish. Sappy and grippy St Estèphe. Drink 2016-2025. 87

Château Lafon-Rochet

Mid depth; saline notes; fresh and clean aromatics with cool Cabernet tones, wet earth and blackcurrants; more gloss and cream than Cos Labory; grip and freshness [acidity] on the finish. Fresh and lively Lafon-Rochet. Finesse. Drink 2017-2027. 89+

Château Ormes de Pez

Deepish; saline note again; fresh; some gutsy black fruits on the nose; palate creamy and more tactile than nose suggests; roundness to the tannins and greater harmony than I remember from primeurs. Has developed nicely on the palate. Drink 2016-2025. 88+

Château de Pez

Deep and saturated colour; attractive blackcurrant fruit with a savoury edge; also a salty tang here too; full palate – easy, soft and attractive. Nicely done and continues a good run of form here at de Pez. Drink 2015-2025. 88+

Château Phélan Ségur

Mid depth; resin, some blackcurrant notes; fresh and grippy palate but with enough flesh to support the structure. Not a show stopper but an attractive mid-weight vintage of some style for Phélan Ségur. Drink 2018-2027. 88+

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