2012 Le Crock

The 2012 Le Crock is quite soft and open in this vintage. Brambly notes in the bouquet lead to dark red and blue-fleshed stone fruit, smoke, cedar, herbs, earthiness and tobacco. Mid-weight, gracious and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2012 is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. This is a classic expression of Saint-Estèphe. The 2012 is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.

From the Cuvelier family that also owns the more famous St.-Julien estate of Léoville Poyferré, this is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. A sleeper of the vintage, this excellent, close to outstanding St.-Estèphe exhibits an inky purple color and is rich, layered and medium-bodied, with loads of blackcurrant and black cherry fruit. With low acidity and beautiful sweet tannin, this expansive wine overachieves in 2012 and should offer delicious drinking over the next 10-15 years.

Dark-fruited and spicy. Thick and dense and rounded and just fresh enough and very generous – would be better a little cooler. (JH)