Chateau Hosanna, Pomerol 2012

Close to perfection, this extraordinary blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc seems to have hit all the high notes in 2012. Inky ruby/purple with stunning concentration, a multidimensional mouthfeel, skyscraper-like texture and fabulous purity of blue, red and black fruits, this is a tour de force from this estate owned by Christian Moueix. The potential complexity and sheer compelling quality of Hosanna is amazing. Aromatically, this may be the most profound wine of the vintage. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.

The 2012 Hosanna is the ripest, most exuberant wines in the Moueix stable this year. Plum, crème de cassis, cloves, licorice and lavender race across the palate. Hosanna is quite possibly the most flamboyant Pomerol of the vintage. Layers of super-ripe blue and purplish-hued fruit build as this deep, exotic wine shows off its distinctive personality. Personally, I find the style a bit over the top, but the Hosanna is undoubtedly very fine. The blend is approximately 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

The 2012 Hosanna is powerful on the nose and quite intense with red fruit, leather, animal fur and truffle. This could not be anything else but Pomerol. The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced with firm tannins and a fine bead of acidity, quite refined and poised, though not mind-boggling in terms of complexity. Yet it does convey a sense of style and panache, though there might be just a touch of brett on the finish. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Ruby-purple. Strawberry, cassis, violet and a hint of underbrush on the expressive nose. Suave, sweet and fine-grained, with harmonious, soft acidity nicely framing the delicate, pure flavors of flinty strawberry, smoke and underbrush. Spreads out nicely in the mouth and finishes long and floral, with fine-grained tannins. You can really smell and taste the cabernet franc here.