Burghound (93-95)

A cool and highly restrained nose of spice, plum, underbrush and animale notes displays an ample amount of wood influence. The driving minerality of the openly muscular and hugely proportioned flavors is patently obvious and it continues onto the mouth coating and breathtakingly long finish. I very much like the balance here and while it can't quite match the sheer depth of material evidenced by the Chapelle, it's close and like the Chapelle I would suggest that this is very definitely not a good candidate for early consumption.

Wine Advocate (97)

Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Chambertin Grand Cru from Domaine du Clos Frantin (Albert Bichot) has a dense, fruit-driven bouquet that does not possess the detail of Rousseau's Chambertin 2012. Wild strawberry mingles with cranberry and dried orange peel notes that gain intensity in the glass, but not quite the precision. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, citrus fresh in the mouth with touches of blood orange. Perhaps the true quality of this wine is unveiled because it is far superior than the recalcitrant nose. There is a touch of bitterness on the finish, but that merely lends this Chambertin tension. Extraordinarily long and vital, this was one of the huge surprises of the blind tasting.

Tim Atkin MW (97)

The stand out wine at Bichot in 2012, even though it was made from (very special) purchased grapes. Pepper spicy, concentrated, yet clearly defined it's silky, sweet and beguilingly fruity with very subtle oak integration, fine-grained tannins and a silky, palate-caressing finish.

Wine Advocate (97)

Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Richebourg Grand Cru from A.F. Gros has a very fine bouquet, very expressive with vibrant, shimmering red berry fruit, cherry liqueur, boysenberries and marmalade. This is both complex and involving. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, beautifully poised and supple, elegant and utterly harmonious on the finish. The terroir and winemaking here exude Grand Cru quality. It's probably the best wine I have ever tasted from the estate and in a different league to some older vintages that I tasted from the domaine just a few days later.

Tim Atkin MW (100)

What does perfection taste like? I've sampled this wine twice - once in Gevrey and once in London - and I have no hesitation in saying that this is it. There's 100% new oak here, but the wine has digested it, like an lion swallowing an antelope. Sikly, fine and effortlessly structured, it's the kind of wine that makes Burgundy lovers dewy eyed. Still a ittle closed at this stage, but this has everything in place for a long life: concentration, fruit, vanilla oak and structure.

Vinous (97)

A heady, exotic Burgundy, the 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos St. Jacques is remarkably vivid for such a big wine, with freakish levels of concentration that are beautifully balanced by insistent veins of underlying minerality. Layers of pure Pinot fruit build through the mid-palate and finish as this voluptuous, racy wine shows off its fabulous pedigree. It simpy doesn't get too much better than this.

Wine Advocate (93-95)

The 2012 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru has a well-defined bouquet with lively red berry fruit mixed with bergamot and fresh strawberry. It does not quite have the presence of say Bernard Dugat’s example: more introverted and bashful. The palate is medium-bodied with candied red fruit on the opening, luscious red berries laced with orange zest and a hint of vanilla. The finish is nigh irresistible – full of vigor and tension with peach on the aftertaste. After a slow opening this finishes with grandeur and ambition.

Vinous (90)

Pale yellow. Musky yellow fruits and gingery spices on the nose. Ripe and silky, with harmonious acidity framing the sweet peach and nutmeg flavors. A rich village wine, particularly in the context of this cellar, but I like its cut and balance. Underlying lemon and crushed stone flavors give the finish a slight youthful aggressiveness that calls for a year or two of patience. The crop level was 22 hectoliters per hectare in these parcels. Incidentally, Ente describes 2012 as a good year but a bit too rich and thick; he compared it to 2007 and 2008 in quality, adding that the '08s also had too much thickness. (But take advantage of Ente's atypically rich and concentrated 2012 Bourgogne Blanc if you spot a bottle, as this wine, made from parcels in Meursault and Puligny, will be easier to drink at the outset. I rated it 88 points.)

Savour the magnificence of Arnaud Ente Meursault La Seve du Clos 2012, a real gem from Burgundy, France. Arnaud Ente, the producer, is lauded as one of the region's most outstanding artisans. Taught by his father-in-law, he adopted a meticulous, intensive approach to viticulture, and a minimalist stance towards vinification.

This wine springs from a single parcel in Meursault, harvested by hand, and fermented using indigenous yeasts. Aged in French oak barrels, only a minimal amount of new oak is used to respect the purity of the fruit and reflect the unique terroir.

The 2012 vintage delivers an intoxicating bouquet of hazelnut and brioche, with an energetic palate of ripe citrus and mineral undertones, sumptuously textured. It is a white burgundy that showcases Arnaud Ente's commitment to quality and detail. Arnaud Ente Meursault La Seve du Clos 2012 offers an unparalleled tasting experience, one to be enjoyed in contemplative sips. The splendiferous synthesis of traditional viticulture and modern winemaking.

Vinous (92-94)

(vinified with 80% whole clusters): Bright red. Complex aromas of red berries, spices, flowers and underbrush. Sappy and energetic, showing modest flesh but a distinctly tender quality to its flavors of redcurrant, raspberry, flowers and spices. Finishes long and floral, with a firm spine of tannins and a rocky character. Superb potential.

Vinous (90+)

Bright medium red. Expressive, nuanced aromas of black cherry, leather, smoke, underbrush and pepper. Juicy and firmly built, showing good stuffing but little easy sweetness. Finishes ripely tannic and lightly saline, with excellent energy and a touch of youthful austerity. These vines are now almost 60 years of age, according to Clavelier.

Vinous (87-89)

(just racked): Good bright red. Wild aromas and flavors of redcurrant, plum, mint and flowers. The palate offers good shape and cut, and a firm, ripe finish.

Burghound (96)

The strikingly elegant nose offers the most complexity of these 2012s with its well-layered aromas of spice, plum, violet, dark cherry and sandalwood. There is a beguilingly velvety texture to the lightly mineral-driven medium weight flavors that possess plenty of mouth coating dry extract before terminating in a firm and impeccably well-balanced finish. Note that this classy beauty will also require ample patience.

Emerging from the renowned vineyards of Côte de Beaune in France, the Ballot Millot Meursault-Genevrieres 1er Cru 2012 is a remarkable testament to the vintner's craft. This exquisite white wine has been delicately crafted by esteemed winemaker, Domaine Ballot Millot, who are celebrated for their meticulous approach to viticulture and strict Old World production methods.

The wine is borne of 100% Chardonnay grapes from 40-year-old vines, meticulously farmed on limestone soils. The result is an elegant expression of Meursault, embodying a seamless blend of power and finesse. It boasts a vibrant, golden colour and hints of fragrant yellow fruits and hazelnuts on the nose. Well-rounded citrus and vanilla nuances glide sumptuously across the palate, culminating in a lengthy, mineral-rich finish. The Ballot Millot Meursault-Genevrieres 1er Cru 2012 rewards both immediate enjoyment and careful cellaring, offering exceptional ageing potential.

Savour the epitome of Burgundian excellence with Bart Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2012. Produced by the acclaimed Domaine Bart family, this elegant red wine embodies five generations of cherished winemaking practices. Predominantly yielded from old vines in the premium vineyards of Marsannay, its inception is rather meticulous. Unravel a complex bouquet, resulting from a meticulous fermentation approach with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperatures. Barrel ageing for up to 22 months in 20% new oak lends a striking depth.

Experience a harmonic symphony of ripe berry, delicate floral notes, rounded off by earthy undertones. This Pinot Noir's finesse lies in its silky tannins and lasting finish, a testament to the limestone-rich terroir. Bart Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2012 shines through in its vintage's character, reflecting an exceptional year of optimal ripeness and exemplary balance. Relish in the mastery of French oenology with Bart Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2012 - a sublime portrait of terroir and tradition.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champeaux is laced with tobacco, earthiness, smoke and dark red fruit. The Champeaux is intense and a bit sauvage, with tons of personality. There is nothing subtle here. A virile, imposing wine, the Champeaux is endowed with considerable power and structure, both of which suggest it will need time to fully come together.

Vinous (95-97)

Rose petals, violets, anise and sweet red cherries lift from the glass in Dugat-Py's 2012 Mazis-Chambertin. The contours are refined, silky and polished throughout. This is a fabulous showing from a wine that is vibrant, crystalline and utterly breathtaking. Although the Mazis is quite floral and intensely aromatic, it also has plenty of depth and mid-palate pliancy.

Vinous (94)

The 2012 Chablis Les Clos is totally intriguing. Initially a bit reticent, the Clos only blossoms on the mid-palate and finish, where the wine's texture and breadth are most apparent. Silky, perfumed and polished throughout, the 2012 impresses for its fabulous balance and faithful expression of this great site.

Immerse yourself in the regality of the Bizot Echezeaux Grand Cru 2012; a premium red that encapsulates the rich viticulture history of the Echezeaux Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy, France. Renowned vintner Jean-Yves Bizot, a stickler for tradition, employs biodynamic methods ensuring respectful cultivation of the vineyard's characterful old vines. The purity of the grape is paramount; interventions are minimal and no pesticides touch the sanctity of the vines.

The Bizot Echezeaux Grand Cru 2012 offers a harmonious blend of robust aromas, deep black fruit notes, laced with a truffle-infused earthy undertone. A vinous masterpiece veiled in regal burgundy hues, it evolves steadily in the glass, making each sip an unfolding narrative. The finale is a crescendo of integrated tannins, leaving a lingering presence on the palate. Decant with reverence and this sublime wine becomes a profound conversation, making a powerful statement in any fine wine collection.

The Bizot Echezeaux Grand Cru 2012 is the epitome of a master-class in Burgundy winemaking. Presented by the esteemed Domaine Jean-Yves Bizot, a producer revered for its devotion to organic practices and biodynamic viticulture in Vosne-Romanée. This exquisite vintage emanates from east-facing vineyards perched atop rich limestone soils, which imbue the wine with an incomparable mineral complexity.

This Pinot Noir effortlessly marries power with elegance, boasting an opulent, velvety palate. Matured in seasoned oak barrels, it exhibits sumptuous notes of blackberry, plum, and a hint of earthy truffle, all underscored by a tantalisingly long finish. It's a complex yet harmonious assembly of layered flavours and delicate tannins. An indisputable testament to the calibre of the Echezeaux Grand Cru slope.

Embodying the vibrancy of Burgundy terroir with quiet confidence, the Bizot Echezeaux Grand Cru 2012 is an exceptional wine perfect for serious collectors or those seeking the finest expressions of Pinot Noir.

Vinous (95)

Deep, bright red. Knockout vibrant nose combines purple and red berries, crushed stone, violet and animal fur. Lush, thick and deep but with terrific chalky energy animating the middle palate. Conveys striking depth to its red fruit and floral flavors, with the 45% new oak practically invisible today. Finishes with huge but round, noble tannins and outstanding lingering sweetness. In a more opulent style than the potentially great 2013, and probably for drinking before that wine.

Wine Advocate (95)

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2012 tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Chevalier Montrachet la Cabotte Grand Cru from Bouchard Père & Fils has a slightly more exotic bouquet within this flight with touches of white chocolate and almond originating from the more generous and conspicuous use of new oak. It needs time to fully integrated. The palate is concentrated and lightly honeyed, the acidity nicely judged but there is a nagging feeling that it was picked a little too late, reminiscent of some of those 2006s on the finish that is missing some delineation. Returning to the glass it actually becomes more refined and elegant, with a saline tang on the finish. This must represent one of Bouchard's finest contributions to the vintage.

Vinous (92-94)

(from estate vines planted in 1978 and 1956; a blend of the top and bottom of the cru): Bright, dark red. Pungent stony minerality and black cherry on the rather cool nose. Then dense, sappy and sweet, showing a very fine-grained texture and terrific inner-mouth lift. This pliant, deep wine really saturates the palate on the long aftertaste, with the tannins thoroughly buffered by fruit. Just four barrels produced, vs. a permitted ten.

Vinous (91-93)

(estate; from En Orveaux, situated in the cooler Combe d'Orveaux): Good deep red. Wild dark fruits and game on the nose, complicated by licorice, bitter chocolate and herbs, along with a black olive quality. Sweet, pliant and fine-grained but nicely energetic too. Finishes with rather soft, harmonious tannins and lovely building length.

Vinous (93)

Medium red, a bit pale at the rim. Soil-inflected aromas of red fruits, potpourri spices, minerals, flowers and truffle. Plush, rich and fine-grained, showing terrific volume and breadth and a restrained sweetness to the flavors of red fruits, smoke and earth. This seamless, stylish wine boasts strong soil tones and an inviting, very smooth finish. A beauty--and perhaps deceptively accessible today.

Immerse yourself in the sensory delight that is the Castagnier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 2012. This illustrious wine, crafted in the heart of France's Burgundy region, boasts rich layers of complexity. Hailing from the esteemed Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier, it tells a tale of dedication to terroir and traditional winemaking methods. The harvest of Pinot Noir grapes is meticulously orchestrated to preserve the dense flavour and velvety mouthfeel.

The Castagnier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 2012 embodies subtlety, finesse, and elegance. Its enchanting nose unveils notes of ripe berries and vibrant floral essences, underpinned by a distinctive mineral streak. On the palate, one can anticipate a sublime sequence of luscious fruit and silky tannins. A masterstroke of winemaking wizardry, this luxurious red provides a long and compelling finish. Ideal as a cellaring wine, its potential for ageing is remarkable, promising continued evolution and an enhanced drinking experience.

Vinous (90-93)

(Tremblay took over these 15-year-old vines in 2009; not destined for the U.S. market): Dark red. Sappy nose combines minerals, flowers and earth; I would have picked it blind as Vosne-Romanee. Then juicy and spicy on the palate, offering black raspberry and brown spice flavors lifted by minerals. Nice density without weight here, and very bright on the long, juicy finish. Sexy juice.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2012 Vosne-Romanée Les Rouge du Dessus is arguably the hidden jewel in Cecile Tremblay's lineup. Layers of deeply spiced dark fruit jump from the glass in a wine of extraordinary purity. The brush strokes are broad in a wine with massive tannins and equally rich fruit. All the 2012 needs is time. Today it is embryonic, but dazzling all the same. The 2012 was vinified with 70% whole clusters.