2012 Bordeaux, some tens and a few others

[Comte Flaneur]

The UGC held a tasting in a London on Wednesday night, at the Oxo Tower over looking the Thames.

This was to showcase the 2012s, with A.N. Other vintage. The number showing the 2010 as their other vintage spoke volumes. Hard times in Bordeaux it seems.

Based on a cursory purveyance it is pretty desultory on the left but better on the right. With the exception of Rausan Segla, and perhaps the Pichons, which were outstanding. DDC in Graves was great. A lot of good but average Bordeaux was made in 2011 and 2012, which will compete with other vintages residing on the shelves. Sit back and enjoy the ride...this is a buyers market.

The wines of the night was Pichon Baron 2005 and Pichon Lalande 2010. The tens are really starting to shut down now, however. But generally a different league to the 12s. And the 11s. For the savvy Bordeaux buyer there will be some fantastic bargains over the next couple of years.

I only tried half of what was on offer. Here are my (very brief) impressions.

My impressions

DDC rouge

2012 - fabulous 93-95
2011 - just as good 93-95

Pape Clement Rouge

The rep said Bernard Magrez is trying to make more elegant wines to go back to the old style by toning down the oak and extract. The 2012 was toned down, but didn't quite do it for me. Clearly some distance behind the DDC. Neither did the 2007.

2007 - 88-90
2012 - 88-90

Beau-Sejour Becot - two excellent wines, in a full bodied style but recognisably St Emilion

2012 - 91-93
2011 - 90-92

Canon

I found the 2012 not to my liking. It was over-ripe and raisiny.

2012 - 84-86?

La Dominique

Very good wines here. Situated right next to Cheval Blanc but much more merlot in the blend. These wines are full bodied but recognisably St Emilion and great value for money.

2012 - 92-94 - fabulous
2007 - 89-91

Figeac

2012 was Michel Rolland's first vintage as consultant and he chose the blend and toned down the Cabernet Franc.This is an elegant wine, recognisably Figeac, and really outstanding. I thought the 2011 was slightly better still. They are very excited about 2014.

2012 - 92-94
2011 - 93-95

La Gaffeliere

Very rich and ripe style...on the edge of what I can take.

2012 - 90-92

Franc Mayne

A lonely bottle of the 2001, and fabulous mature St-Emilion

2001 - 92-94

Clos Fourtet

Another outstanding wine, ripe, full but recognisably St-Emilion

2012 - 92-94

Grand Mayne

They need to tone down the alcohol on these monsters

2012 - 89-91?
2009 - I didn't dare try it

Pavie Macquin

Brilliant wines here, ripe but not OTT IMO and delicious

2012 - 93-95

Client

A sterner style of Pomerol, needs a lot of time

2012 - 90-92

Petit Village

A brilliant effort in 2012, the 2010 is broodier wine. Even the 2000 was not fully resolved.

2012 93-95
2010 93-95
2000 92-94

Fourcas Hosten

Nice wines here from this ex-bourgeoise

2012 88-90 - a pretty wine
2010 89-91

Poujeaux

I only tried the 2010 and boy was it good. Very drinkable now too. Therefore great value at around £20 a bottle here.

2010 94-96

Coufran

Merlot dominated Medoc - a bit hot and bothered in 2009

2009 - 85-87

Brane Cantenac

A very good 12 and 10

2012 - 89-91
2010 - 93-95

La Lagune

Lean and lacking charm; others saw more in this than I did.

2012 - 87-89

Rauzan-Segla

A brilliant 2012. The best wine on the left bank. This is the third vintage in a row where Rauzan has excelled.

2012 - 93-95
2008 - 90-92

Beychevelle

Better than most lefties in 2012, an exquisite 2010 which is quite shut down

2012 - 88-90
2010 - 95-97

Branaire Ducru

The 2010 has gone to sleep, but is a very good wine. The 2012 is very much in the luncheon claret bracket.

2012 - 85-87
2010 - 94-96

Gruaud Larose

I only tried the 2010 to check in its progress. It is also quite closed down. Those who tried the 12 thought it was one of the better ones.

2010 - 94-96

Lagrange

I was pretty underwhelmed by both wines here

2012 - 84-86
2010 - 88-90

Leoville Barton

I only tried the 2012. They never make anything less than good wine, but this is quite lean and uninspiring now... Which isn't always a bad sign...and I am sure it will be very pleasant after a few years.

2012 - 88-90

Leoville-Poyferre

I think Poyferre tried harder to make good wine in 2012, and this was a creditable effort. Some might say they tried too hard.

2012 - 89-91
2008 - 90-92

Lynch-Bages

Really very impressive in the context of the vintage

2012 - 90-92
2011 - 91-93

Pichon Baron

A very good effort in 2012. The 2005 is probably still best ever...

2012 - 91-93
2005 - 97-99

Pichon Lalande

Brilliant. Best left bank after R-S.

2012 - 92-94
2010 - 97-99

So if you want to buy a left bank buy Rauzan Segla...or one of the Pichons. The right bank is generally good in 2012... But the best right 2012 - Lafleur Petrus - was not there last night. DDC rouge deserves a mention too.

But if there is one wine from last night to go out and buy I would probably say Poujeaux 2010.