Gazin 2012

This is certainly one of the great 2012s from Pomerol. What’s amazing is that it is 100% Merlot. Readers may have forgotten (or never knew) that a chunk of this vineyard was sold to Petrus in the early 1970s, but what remains is still a superb terroir and incredibly well-placed on the plateau of Pomerol, adjacent to Petrus and across the road from Lafleur. This wine tips the scales at 14.5% natural alcohol, which puts it right up there with the 2009 and 2010. This points further to the sensational success Pomerol enjoyed in 2012. It is inky purple in color, with a glorious nose of black fruits, an unctuous texture, and a full-bodied mouthfeel. Sometimes Gazin can show too much new oak in its youth, but that is not an issue with the 2012. This is sensational Pomerol and one of the great wines of this vintage. Give it another 5-8 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two to three decades. Drink: 2020 - 2053

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Gazin has a complex, quite mercurial bouquet that seems quite confit in style at the moment. After five minutes it offers raspberry coulis, wild strawberry, marmalade and minerals. You could nose this all day! The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, beautifully balanced with a harmony all its own. It glides across the mouth, so much so that it almost belies the structure underneath. This is seriously good—a top-drawer Pomerol with long-term ambitions. It may warrant an even higher score in the future. This is one to watch. Tasted January 2016.

This is a gorgeous wine with superb density and balance for the vintage. Full body, polished, fine tannins and a long, long finish. There's so much complexity and beauty to this with blueberry, wet earth and spice character. Some sliced Chinese mushrooms as well. One of the best wines I have had from here in a long time. Better in 2020.

This may be the first time in the history of this estate that Gazin has been made from 100% Merlot. That was the favored cepage (grape varietal) in 2012, and Gazin has produced a powerful, concentrated, dark plum/purple-hued wine displaying notes of balsam wood, forest floor, camphor, blackberries and cassis. As the wine sits in the glass, hints of white chocolate and espresso roast (no doubt from the barrels used) emerge. Full, rich and intense, this impressive 2012 reminds me of the 2001, only slightly more masculine. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades.

Nicolas de Bailliencourt told me that the Cabernet Franc was affected by rot this year, so the Grand Vin is 100% Merlot picked between 20th September and 4th October. It has plenty of ripe raspberry and fresh strawberry fruit on the nose with hints of dark plum underneath - the oak neatly integrated. The palate is well balanced with firm, grainy tannins. There is good structure here, fine focus, with a lovely touch of white pepper on the expressive finish. Good potential. Tasted April 2013.