3 | Wine | Red, Pessac-leognan / Graves, 86 to 90

"A major sleeper of the vintage, this blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is another “best ever” performance. Notes of tobacco leaf, hot rocks, sweet kirsch and black currants are impressively displayed in this medium to full-bodied, velvety textured, very seductive style of wine. Drink it over the next decade." -Robert Parker

"This has a slightly sweet core of plum, cherry and raspberry, with hints of lilac, tar and warm stone. There's a somewhat sinewy feel on the finish, as a sanguine edge emerges."

"This has good flesh, with a lilac note giving way to dark mulled plum and linzer torte flavors, studded with black tea and roasted spice hints. Shows nice drive on the finish."

"Blueberry and flowers, with hints of sweet tobacco on the nose. Full-bodied, with polished and silky tannins and a long, juicy finish. Best ever from here." 90-93 pts.

"A nice juicy spine runs through the mix of raisin, mulled plum and black currant fruit. Flashes of anise and tobacco add range on the finish."

"Juicy and direct, with solid plum, raspberry and bitter cherry notes pushed by woodspice, singed alder and charcoal. Nice range, and with a pleasantly chewy, grippy feel."

"Blueberry and flowers, with hints of sweet tobacco on the nose. Full-bodied, with polished and silky tannins and a long, juicy finish. Best ever from here." 90-93 pts.

"Nicely polished for the vintage. ...showing a plush feel to the fig paste, currant preserve and blackberry notes, which are pushed through the finish by a slightly firm tarry edge that keeps this honest."

"Another brilliant effort from proprietress Helene Garcin, the opaque ruby/purple-colored, medium-bodied 2012 Haut-Bergey reveals lots of smoky barbecue, forest floor, black currant and damp earth notes in a surprisingly dense, concentrated, positive, complete style. An outstanding mid-palate and length make for an impressive showing."
-Reviewed by: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 90 to 93 pts

"Showy style, with lots of ganache and dark toast leading the way, backed by ample plum sauce, fig paste and currant confiture notes. Long, charcoal-framed finish has plenty of heft. Not shy in style, this has density and drive."

"Haut-Brion’s second wine, the 2012 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, is a delicious, seductive, fruity, lighter-styled effort exhibiting plenty of crushed rock, floral and mineral notes intermixed with red and black currants, camphor and forest floor. This pretty, medium-bodied wine can be drunk upon release or cellared for a decade."
Reviewed by: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 88 to 90 pts

"Offers plum, mixed berry and singed vanilla notes against a backdrop of anise and tar. Displays a sinewy edge on the finish, but the stuffing is there for development."