Castle Petit Village - Pomerol 2012

Vinous

91 / 100

the1/31/2016

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

Dense ruby/plum/purple, with notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, licorice and a touch of caramel, this wine shows some oak and background earth. It is medium-bodied, with excellent concentration and tastes noticeably improved over recent vintages. It is not terribly complex, but certainly satisfying, plump and well-endowed. Drink it over the next decade

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

Aromas of dark fruits and flowers follow through to a full body, fine tannins and a fresh, clean finish. Very fine and pretty. One of the best PVs in years. Better in 2018.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

This is nicely rendered, with dark plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit laced with mulled spice, roasted cedar and black tea notes. Everything melds pleasantly through the plush yet refined finish. Approachable now, but no rush. Drink now through 2022. 2,083 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

the12/11/2014

Dark crimson. Scented, meaty, definitively right bank but relatively refreshing. Much juicier and more mineral than most Pomerols. And also a bit lighter. Hint of pencil shavings. I still wonder what would have happened if Gérard Perse had bought this property…Drink 2017-2025

timatkin.com

94 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

Is this the best modern vintage of Petit Village? It’s certainly a step up from 2011. Winemaker Jean-René Matignon says the quality of the Merlot was exceptional this year and it shows in the wine: sweet, sumptuous and ripe with hints of coffee and spice and a backbone of acidity and freshness from the Cabernet. Drink: 2020-35.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-91 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/29/2013

(a blend of 80% merlot, 14% cabernet franc and 6% cabernet sauvignon; aging in 80% new oak):   Fully saturated, opaque inky-purple.  Aromatic coffee and tobacco nuances complicate pure blackberry and cassis on the nose.  Then big and supple, with a peppery bite to the mineral and black fruit flavors.  Finishes fresh and vibrant for such a rich wine but with a slightly tough quality on the rising finish.

Le Point

14 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Nez réducteur, bouche souple, ronde, assez juteuse, finale plus douce que sur certains millésimes. O= 2017 G= 10 ans

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/6/2013

I tasted two samples of Petit Village just over a week apart. The first had a relatively light, earthy bouquet that needed to show a little more expression and exuberance, whilst the second addressed that problem and put it right. The palate is medium-bodied with clean, fresh red fruit with touches of cedar and undergrowth. It develops an introspective, conservative finish that needs to show more...excitement. One hopes that is exhibits more panache after bottling. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Lush and enticing, with delicious, succulent raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry fruit inlaid with spice notes and culminating in a long, black tea-infused finish. This bottling has been quietly sneaking up the pecking order in recent vintages. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17.5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/29/2013

Drink 2018-2028
Replanted rootstocks and vines half the vineyard. 100% Merlot from Petit Village planted 2004/5. Glowing with health. Very sweet start and lots of glossy, spicy fruit. Very vibrant.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

Following a strong 2010, the 2012 Petit Village is impressive. Pure, ripe tapenade-tinged black currant and black cherry fruit aromas intermixed with hints of licorice and incense jump from the glass of this medium-bodied, velvety-textured, fleshy, succulent Pomerol. A note of spicy oak is well-integrated. Drink this 2012 over the next 12-15 years.

This property is finally rebounding from a relatively moribund period of good but uninspiring performances.
Drink: 2013 - 2028

Wine Enthusiast

91-93 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/26/2013

“Barrel sample. A ripe and fruity wine, this exhibits an well-structured balance of acidity and sweet tannins. It has weight, richness, and a fine fruitiness.”

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/26/2013

“Replanted rootstocks and vines half the vineyard. 100% Merlot from Petit Village planted 2004/5. Glowing with health. Very sweet start and lots of glossy, spicy fruit. Very vibrant.”

La Revue du Vin de France

16-17 / 20

the4/26/2013

(Olivier Poels)
Grandes réussites “…Petit-Village progresse depuis quelques anées et gagne en définition. Une belle réussite.”

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Blending 80% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine will be aged in 80% new French oak, reaching 13.8% alcohol. Whole berry fermented, the wine opens with licorice, black cherry liqueur, coffee, cocoa and earthy notes, offering silky textures, soft tannins and a sweet, ripe, red and black cherry finish. 90-92 Pts

My Bettane + Desseauve

16 / 20

the4/25/2013

Peu maquillé au nez, sur le raisin, joli fruit, texture tendre, vinification attentive et sans emphase, net, corps moyen, tannin agréable, sera prêt dans cinq à six ans. Les jeunes vignes ont donné un second vin certes moins complexe mais plus racé grâce à la supériorité du matériel végétal actuel.

Decanter.com

17,25 / 20

the4/22/2013

Lovely wine. Continues the progression. Dark/red berry fruit with a little spice and vanilla. Palate plush and seductive. Fine, long tannins. 17.25/20pts ( 90+/100pts)
Drink: 2018 - 2030
Taster: James Lawther MW

Jean-Marc QUARIN

15,75 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/9/2013

Couleur sombre, de bonne intensité. Nez fruité, mûr et un peu discret. Juteux en entrée de bouche, caressant puis aromatique au milieu. Ce vin fond avec grâce et s'achève séveux sur une bonne longueur.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

A pretty wine with beautiful tannins and a solid core of fruit. It’s full-bodied, with gorgeous length and flavor. One of the best in years. Juicy and long.