Château Labégorce - Margaux 2012

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

Labégorce is a property on the upswing, and that is reflected in this very strong 2012. Dense ruby/purple in color, with loads of blackcurrants, plum, licorice and graphite, it is medium to full-bodied, with soft tannins and excellent concentration. This is a beauty and a major sleeper of the vintage. The final blend was 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.

Jamessuckling.com

91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

A Bordeaux displaying complex aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, black cherries with cedar and earthy notes. Full body, firm tannins, fresh acidity and a delicate finish. Wonderful harmony. Extremely well done. Drink in 2017.

Wine Spectator

89 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

Focused, if still a bit closed, with a strong cocoa frame around plum and blackberry fruit. Cedar, tobacco and graphite notes emerge on the finish. Should open up with a touch more cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2020. 10,000 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

the12/11/2014

Deep cherry with smudgy rim. Intense, just-ripe cassis on the nose, inviting, with a leafy streak. Plenty to chew on at the moment, the tannins firm, ripe and

nicely dry. Mouthwatering finish. Embryonic and promising. (JH)13% Drink 2020-2030

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-89 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013

(53% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot):  Good full, medium ruby-red.  Enticing aromas of blackberry, violet, licorice and fresh herbs.  Open-knit and verging on plush initially, then turns a bit less fruity and fleshy, offering uncomplicated dark berry and floral flavors.  The bright finish features decent length but shows a youthfully ungiving character.  This 2012 is projected to age for 15 months in only 30% new oak, which is likely to be a sensible decision in 2012.  I firmly believe that the wines have improved greatly here since the Perrodo family (who have recently acquired Marquis d'Alesme), owners of both Labegorce and Labegorce Zede, decided to fold the latter into Labegorce beginning with the 2009 vintage. The paltry 35 h/h yield may also have something to do with this wine's quality in 2012.

Le Point

14,5-15 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Joli nez de fruits rouges compotés, bouche vive, tendue, assez boisée, bien construit, droit. Très merlot (53%), savoureux, plus en gourmandise qu'en finesse. O= 2016 G= 8 ans.

Asian Palate

88 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/15/2013

Juicy, vibrant red berry flavours with lively floral notes and freshness. There is real energy in this wine with no sign of the difficult weather conditions of this vintage.

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/3/2013

Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The Labégorce 2012 (53% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot) was tasted twice. One bottle was rather muted on the nose, the other much more open with pure black cherry, raspberry and cassis aromas with well integrate vanillary oak. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins, plenty of supple blueberry and cassis fruit with a strict, masculine finish. It gets better as it goes on. Let’s hope it settles down by the time of bottling. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

89-92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Vibrant, with a racy, well-stitched core of damson plum, raspberry and blackberry fruit supported by fruitcake and graphite notes. Displays range and energy. Solid. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

A red berry-soaked nose and a black berry-soaked palate - fascinating, sumptuous and forward.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

A major sleeper of the vintage, the 2012 is a Labegorce that finally reflects the investments and change of staff and ownership that had held so much promise. A dense ruby/purple hue is followed by abundant notes of black currants, blackberries, licorice, a foresty/underbrush character and a hint of smoke. It also possesses a medium-bodied, silky texture. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.

The final blend was 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Moreover, the new owners declassified 50% of the production into a second wine.
Drink: 2013 - 2025

My Bettane + Desseauve

17 / 20

the4/26/2013

Boisé épicé dominant, presque clou de girofle, corps équilibré et velouté de texture magnifique dû à de grands merlots. Ultra margalais.

The Wine Cellar Insider

88-90 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

With an earthy nose, the wine is filled with fresh black raspberries and cassis. From a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13% alcohol. 88-90 Pts

La Revue du Vin de France

14,5-15,5 / 20

the4/24/2013

joli vin aux tanins bien soyeux et à la bouche tendre. Il offre du charme et de la rondeur, avec un équilibre très digeste. Un Margaux fin mais pas maigre, qui confirme son statut de belle affaire.

Asian Palate

88-89 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/24/2013

juicy, vibrant red berry flavours with lively floral notes and freshness. There is real energy in this wine with no sign of the difficult wheather conditions of this vintage.

Wine Enthusiast

88-90 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/24/2013

Barrel sample. Juicy and ripe, this wine has rich fruitiness without the balancing structure. It profits from ripe merlot flavors in the blend, yielding a fruity wine that will develop fast.

Decanter.com

16,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013

Lots of richly extracted fruit, quite broad and plummy, still with Margaux lift and charm. 16.5/20pts ( 88/100pts)
Drink: 2016 - 2024

Jean-Marc QUARIN

14,75 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/22/2013

Couleur sombre, d’intensité normale. Nez fruité. Bouche tendre, fruitée, savoureuse et un peu légère. Finale sans angle. Longueur moyenne.

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/19/2013

Drink 2022-2035
Very dark, intense colour. Sweet and lifted. The acceptable face of sweet 2012? Lots of energy and punch plus refreshment. Well-integrated Merlot and Cabernet. Real depth and length. Polished. Super appetising. Lots of winemaking effort here.

Jamessuckling.com

89-90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

A wine that shows a pretty depth of fruit with soft and silky tannins. Very well done. Not quite the 2011.