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"The inky/purple-colored 2012 offers up scents of white chocolate, creme de cassis, acacia flowers, crushed rocks and forest floor. This dense, full-bodied wine is still somewhat monolithic, but it is loaded with concentration and power as well as a long finish. While not totally formed, all the component parts are present." -Robert Parker

"This quintessentially finesse-styled Margaux exhibits notes of pure black currants, spring flowers, graphite and forest floor. With supple tannins and medium body, this pretty, stylish effort reminds me of the 2001 or perhaps a modern day, improved version of their 1979. The lovely 2012 should be drinkable in 4-5 years and last for two decades."
Reviewed by: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 92 to 94 pts

"Shows a tight nose, but manages to convey pure, fresh notes of red fruit and violet. Almost sleek, with fine-grained tannins carrying the red currant paste and iron accents. The plum skin-tinged finish sings, displaying remarkable integration already. A very impressive showing today."

"The savory tobacco and cassis notes race along, with a charcoal frame. A backdrop of kirsch fill this out, displaying a peppery hint on the lightly dusty finish."

"A softer, less powerful and less prodigiously endowed Pontet Canet, the 2012 exhibits notes of creme de cassis and new barrique vanillin followed by a medium-bodied, elegant wine with sweeter tannin (and less of it) than is found in the great vintages that immediately precede it. The 2012 is certainly outstanding and, in fact, many readers may prefer it to the blockbuster, out-of-this-world, over-sized 2010, 2009 and 2008. Medium-bodied, pure and expressive, this classic Pauillac should only require 5-6 years of cellaring. It should drink well for two decades thereafter." -Robert Parker

"Juicy and round in feel, with a core of fleshy plum and blackberry fruit. A light briary edge frames the core, revealing enticing savory and chalk notes on the finish. Shows a touch more range and floral lift in the end than the d'Armailhac."

"Offers a smoky, fleshy feel, with dark plum, charcoal and coffee notes. Features nice grip on the finish, revealing a lingering plum skin feel."

"The 2012 boasts a dense purple color along with a gorgeous bouquet of camphor, black raspberries, kirsch, licorice and graphite. On the palate, some of the crushed chalk from the limestone soils makes an appearance. This gorgeously proportioned, full-bodied Cotes de Castillon is one of the two or three finest wines of the appellation as well as an outstanding sleeper of the vintage. It should drink well for 10+ years." -Robert Parker

"The 2012 Fonplegade, a major success for the vintage, possesses a dense purple color along with sweet blueberry, black raspberry and crushed chalk-like notes intermixed with a hint of spring flowers. Sweet tannins, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and excellent fruit, texture, opulence and richness suggest it will drink well for 12-15 years." -Robert Parker

"The dense purple-hued 2012 offers up notes of blueberries, lavender, incense, chocolate and toasty oak. The lovely aromatics are followed by deep, plush, medium to full-bodied, opulent, concentrated fruit flavors. Enjoy this beauty over the next 10-12 years." -Robert Parker

"It reveals a dense blue/purple color along with a stunning nose of blueberries, spring flowers, graphite and a touch of toast. Deep, full-bodied, round and rich, it is not far off the quality of the brilliant 2010 and promising 2009. Kudos to new proprietor Christophe Lefevere for resurrecting this once moribund estate. Drink the 2012 over the next 15 years." -Robert Parker