Chateau Pichon Lalande 2012, Pauillac (1x75cl)

A gutsy, terroir-driven style, with briar-edged grip carrying notes of macerated black currant fruit, fig and plum sauce. This shows lots of dark anise through the finish, along with notes of roasted apple wood and a hint of cassis bush. Delivers excellent range, purity and energy. Best from 2018 through 2027. 10,000 cases made.

Whenever I taste a young Château Pichon Lalande, I often fear that I may be assessing it too early and may be too harsh in my judgment. The 2012—the Bordelais felt that this was one of their most challenging vintages—showed me why this property is so amazing. This wine was quite open-knit and revealing of how fine it will eventually be over time. Serving up a combination of red fruits, dried herbs, and rich earth, the 2012 Pichon Lalande—this one of the wine's nicknames—is drinking quite nicely now and will benefit with additional time in the bottle. (Tasted: January 30, 2015, San Francisco, CA)

The grande dame, the 2012 Pichon Lalande represents only 50% of their harvest production. It has soft, round tannins, endearing elegance, and up-front fruit. It is not a blockbuster, but its lush, richly fruity style is charming and seductive, with raspberry, blueberry, mocha and blackcurrant fruit and a deep ruby/purple color. This medium-bodied, supple-textured wine is surprisingly precocious and forward, and therefore best drunk over the next 15 years. The final blend was 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.