At their best, 1982 Bordeaux combines sensuous, elegant tannins, richness, concentration, opulent, sensuous and occasional decadent textures with the ability to age and evolve into something special. Clearly 1982 Bordeaux deserves its fame. However, when compared to Bordeaux made today, 1982 Bordeaux falls short in one department, consistency.
It’s the date at which the harvest starts that is the most important. Then we must harvest as fast as possible and with luck, in the best possible conditions. The date at which the harvest ends is never anticipated at the beginning of the harvest. It is always confirmed just a few days before it’s there..
Historically, 2012 Domaine de Chevalier is a very late vintage for us. In fact this is the latest harvest start for the Merlot in the history of the chateau!
The wines included on this list of the top 10 best wines tasted in 2012, combine quality with the unique memory of the tasting. It’s easy to pick the best wines. But the bottles that offer a memory of a moment that remains etched in your mind, are the truly special wines.
Due to the lateness of the harvest, because we had to wait, it was difficult to find work for our workers in the vineyard that were waiting to start picking.
We have been experimenting with whole cluster fermentation for 3 years. On average, we use about 30 % whole clusters in Pomerol. Whole clusters give more power, complexity, structure to the wine.”
The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon both reached an excellent quality and maturity level. But I would say that with 2012 Clerc Milon, the Merlot may have an extra dimension this year in depth and complexity.
