2012 - La Fleur-Petrus, Pomerol

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 La Fleur Pétrus has a mint-fresh bouquet, vigorous and vivid, with delineated red cherry, raspberry and cassis fruit under which is a strata of wet limestone. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is a more understated Pomerol but there is real nuance here, black truffle and leather tinging the introspective black fruit. Yet behind that is harmony and finesse, notwithstanding impressive length and sustain. It may be slightly over-shadowed by the sensational Trotanoy, but Pomerol-lovers will lap up this fantastic La Fleur-Petrus from the JP Moueix team. Tasted January 2016.

Tighter tannins than many in Pomerol this is built to last, with layers of liquorice, black chocolate, power and punch. You'll find more nuance in more recent vintages of La Fleur-Pétrus, but this is enjoyable, fleshy with ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit and displaying huge confidence. A great choice for signature Pomerol over the next decade or more. Harvest September 24 and October 11 - and a key vintage at the property, as this was the first vintage with the addition of land from Ch Guillot and Providence, and the removal of vines that were incorporated into sibling estate Lagrange. 50% new oak.

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 La Fleur-Petrus offers up closed, very subtle scents of baked cherries, prunes, and anise with faint hints of tilled soil and tobacco. The full-bodied palate is soft and elegant, with lovely poise and a gentle, perfumed finish. This is not an overly profound wine, but very pretty.

Tasted blind. Healthy deep ruby. Almost oxidising but there is ripe-but-not-overripe Merlot here and a certain amount of sweet pleasure. Hint of tea leaves. (JR)