Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Something for my Wagyu Burger.

I do enjoy this producers style/craft. Also, enjoy the elegance of St. Julien. 2012 is a vintage Sofia & 1 worked harvest at Clerc Milon. So, the 2012 vintage will always be a special vintage for me, even if it was only one that was good to very good for the right terroirs and producers. Just wasn’t special like; 00, 05, 09, 10, 16 or 19 etc..

Having said all that, this Ducru is not the 2012 star of the region. It’s elegant but falls short on depth, character & umpf, which are things I have grown to expect and have experienced from this producer in many vintages.

The palate shows, soft, round & velvety M-M+ tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, some of both plums, slightly baked strawberries & circling raspberries. Slightly dry tobacco w/ ash, soft leather, sandalwood, mid, dark, rounded spice, nutmeg, clove, some cinnamon & vanillin, dark most earth with clay & dry leaves, herbaceous notes, very soft & elegant graphite, a touch of of mid berry cola/licorice, dark withering flowers, red roses, nice acidity with nicely balance, good tension/structured, elegant finish that last nearly two minutes and long sets on rounded dark spice.

@EmiratesLoungeDubai — 2 months ago

Russ Flynn

9.2

Yum yum gimme some. A perfectly crisp and slightly funky cider. You bet yer sweet tuchas I’d buy it again. — 6 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.0

Reliable, modern, true-to-type and correct.
Oh. And ready to drink as well. — 7 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1990 vintage. Neck base fill. Cork fairly saturated. Durand used. Appropriate sediment. Opened but not decanted. Tasted after one hour. Light-medium body. This was fully integrated and harmonious. Can’t imagine this vintage tasting better as this was a great specimen. Finish just glided along like a sail craft on a glassy day. Can hold at this level for another 5-6 years easy. One of the best Lafite efforts I’ve ever enjoyed. 8.16.24. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous notes. They still apply. All the hallmarks of modern Australian Chardonnay. Nutty leesy aromas with rock melon notes - from the cool climate district near the city of Orange. A light to medium weight palate. Proving that the Orange/Tumbaramba district is a great area for cool climate Chardonnay with Penfolds sourcing fruit from here for their top Chardonnays like Yattarna. Also Phillip Shaw (former winemaker for Rosemount when they were famous) has set up a winery here under his own name. — 5 years ago

Paulo Saliby

9.1

Nice black cherry aromas. Concentrated. Medium persistance. A modern-style chianti classico riserva. — 6 years ago

Timothy Lynch

9.1

Drinking window now in play. Tight as a drum on opening....strongly suggest a two to three hour decant. Held firm twenty-four hours later. It’s the kind of modern Bordeaux that a Sonoma red fan could appreciate. — 4 years ago

Diane M. Napolitano

9.6

Pears and flowers, like roses and marigolds. Fun stuff! A real find at my local Wegmans ❤️🍶🍐 — 4 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.0

Rioja isn’t normally my jam but this was really good, especially for such a modern style. — 5 years ago

Rachel Kraft

9.8

This is amazing. Unlike any sort of Rose I’ve seen. Not dry. Rich I color. — 7 years ago