2012 Château Petrus

The 2012 Petrus has a slightly higher-toned bouquet than its peers: scents of brambly red fruit and briary, liquorice and dried herbs. This gains complexity in the glass, and a second bottle at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On, given two hours to open, develops some gorgeous pure plummy fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy, ripe and harmonious with pliant tannins and a little more obvious oak towards the sensual finish, white pepper and thyme lingering on the aftertaste. Wonderful. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. - Neal Martin (02/2022)

This shows fabulous length with a chocolate, berry and mineral undertone. Licorice and currants too. Full body yet refined with seamless tannins. Goes on for minutes. It shows such amazing length and elegance. Depth. Phenomenal structure here, especially for the vintage. Reminds me of the 1998 or 1971, which were structured yet very fine. (02/2015)

The 2012 Château Petrus is stunning stuff. All Merlot as always, it's still youthfully ruby/plum-hued yet has a kiss of maturity in its smoky red and black fruits as well as incredible aromatics of tobacco leaf, lead pencil, chocolate, and scorched earth. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it has classic Petrus power and richness, beautifully integrated tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a gorgeous finish. This beauty builds beautifully with time in the glass and has another 20-30 years of prime drinking. (05/2023)

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2012 Petrus needs vigorous swirling to uncover notes of plum preserves, kirsch, and blueberry compote with hints of crushed rocks, truffles, licorice, and dried roses. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with spicy black fruit layers and superbly ripe, rounded tannins, giving just enough freshness to lift the long earthy finish. A stunning achievement for this vintage, give it another 5-7 years in the cellar and drink it over the next 25 years+. (02/2023)

This has some serious muscle, with rivets of graphite studding a beam of dense, gravelly grip that holds the core of steeped plum and raspberry notes together. Very long, with superior cut. A graphite note powers through the finish, while the fruit drips on and on. Best from 2018 through 2032. - James Molesworth (03/2015)

Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 Petrus demonstrated a forward, fruit-driven, ripe raspberry and wild strawberry bouquet underneath which lies graphite and forest floor aromas. It seems refined, understated, nonchalant even. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly savory opening, as if there was a tiny drop of Cabernet Franc. The tannins are fine but firm, the red fruit infused with cooked meat, black pepper and sage notes, although I was anticipating a finish armed with more body. That may well develop in time, yet it remains a regal Pomerol that will probably merit a higher score with bottle age, hence the plus-sign against the score. Tasted January 2016. - Neal Martin (10/2016)