Chateau La Fleur-Petrus, Pomerol 2012

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 La Fleur Ptrus has a mint-fresh bouquet, vigorous and vivid, with delineated red cherry, raspberry and cassis fruit under which is a strata of wet limestone. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is a more understated Pomerol but there is real nuance here, black truffle and leather tinging the introspective black fruit. Yet behind that is harmony and finesse, notwithstanding impressive length and sustain. It may be slightly over-shadowed by the sensational Trotanoy, but Pomerol-lovers will lap up this fantastic La Fleur-Petrus from the JP Moueix team. Tasted January 2016.

The stunning 2012 La Fleur Petrus clearly merits its striking moniker. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, it offers a dense purple color along with a big, sweet kiss of mulberry jam intermixed with black cherries, raspberries and even blacker fruits as well as a subtle touch of oak. The wine is full, rich, concentrated and moderately tannic. It is nearly as good as the 2010 and 2009. However, some structural tannins suggest 4-5 years of bottle age will be warranted, and the wine is capable of lasting a quarter of a century.

Another incredible success story from Pomerol, this estate which has been elevated in quality considerably over recent vintages) harvested their fruit between September 24 and October 11. Christian Moueix told me that just about all of the Pomerol wines for which he was responsible came in between 13.8% and 14.2% alcohol.