2012
2012
2012
The rigorous selection—a little less than 34% of the harvest in the Grand Vin—can largely be explained by the heterogeneity of the 2012 vintage, mainly due to water stress affecting young vines and sensitive terroirs. What a disappointment not to have been able to include that fabulous 13-year-old cabernet plot, which had performed so well in 2010 and 2011! But what a joy to see our greatest plots of mature vines reach such heights of concentration and elegance! The cabernet sauvignon (87% of the blend) is remarkable: powerful, dense, fleshy and refined. The two usual batches of merlot (10%) as well as the small batch of cabernet franc (2%) that usually join them didn’t disappoint, but weren’t better than in 2011. As for our only old plot of petit verdot, it produced a superb wine, quite different from the younger ones.
Our best press wines, which are the result of a stringent selection, bring remarkable density and flesh to this year’s blend, without sacrificing the slightest finesse. We sometimes forget that they are the concentrated essence of both the strengths and weaknesses of the free-run wines, and that rigorous work is all it takes to reveal their fantastic potential.
Château Margaux 2012 is a perfect example of the softness, delicacy, charm, and balance that have been the hallmarks of our wines for centuries. In the end, all it needs is a little depth and density to be a great vintage. The softness of its tannins also makes it delicious even today, though reason would suggest waiting a little longer before drinking it... (February 2025)
Climate
2012 marked the return of a great climatic classicism: a cold winter, especially in February, followed by a very wet spring, then a very dry summer before a return to rainy weather as from September 20th.
The heavy rain which lasted until July 15th, created very favourable conditions for the development of mildew. However this year we intensified our organic programme with great success: not only have we not used any insecticide on the estate for 10 years, but in 2012 we only used one chemical treatment, as opposed to the usual 7 or 8 on the great wine plots. We’re almost there…
From July 15th onwards, the weather was dry and moderately warm but punctuated by a few very hot days. Such conditions are typical of great Bordeaux classic vintages: they allow for the simultaneous ripening and concentration of the grapes. Only the less good terroirs and young vines suffered from the sudden transition from a very wet spring to a very dry summer.
The weather changed again from the first day of autumn: the moderate rains, which fell regularly from September 20th onwards, arrived too late to greatly upset the ripening or health of the grapes, but probably prevented, by a few days, 2012 from being the great vintage it should have been.
The harvest of the whites took place between the 10th and the 14th September, while the harvest of the reds was carried out between the 25th September and the 16th October, just before the weather really deteriorated...
The rigorous selection—a little less than 34% of the harvest in the Grand Vin—can largely be explained by the heterogeneity of the 2012 vintage, mainly due to water stress affecting young vines and sensitive terroirs. What a disappointment not to have been able to include that fabulous 13-year-old cabernet plot, which had performed so well in 2010 and 2011! But what a joy to see our greatest plots of mature vines reach such heights of concentration and elegance! The cabernet sauvignon (87% of the blend) is remarkable: powerful, dense, fleshy and refined. The two usual batches of merlot (10%) as well as the small batch of cabernet franc (2%) that usually join them didn’t disappoint, but weren’t better than in 2011. As for our only old plot of petit verdot, it produced a superb wine, quite different from the younger ones.
Our best press wines, which are the result of a stringent selection, bring remarkable density and flesh to this year’s blend, without sacrificing the slightest finesse. We sometimes forget that they are the concentrated essence of both the strengths and weaknesses of the free-run wines, and that rigorous work is all it takes to reveal their fantastic potential.
Château Margaux 2012 is a perfect example of the softness, delicacy, charm, and balance that have been the hallmarks of our wines for centuries. In the end, all it needs is a little depth and density to be a great vintage. The softness of its tannins also makes it delicious even today, though reason would suggest waiting a little longer before drinking it... (February 2025)
Climate
2012 marked the return of a great climatic classicism: a cold winter, especially in February, followed by a very wet spring, then a very dry summer before a return to rainy weather as from September 20th.
The heavy rain which lasted until July 15th, created very favourable conditions for the development of mildew. However this year we intensified our organic programme with great success: not only have we not used any insecticide on the estate for 10 years, but in 2012 we only used one chemical treatment, as opposed to the usual 7 or 8 on the great wine plots. We’re almost there…
From July 15th onwards, the weather was dry and moderately warm but punctuated by a few very hot days. Such conditions are typical of great Bordeaux classic vintages: they allow for the simultaneous ripening and concentration of the grapes. Only the less good terroirs and young vines suffered from the sudden transition from a very wet spring to a very dry summer.
The weather changed again from the first day of autumn: the moderate rains, which fell regularly from September 20th onwards, arrived too late to greatly upset the ripening or health of the grapes, but probably prevented, by a few days, 2012 from being the great vintage it should have been.
The harvest of the whites took place between the 10th and the 14th September, while the harvest of the reds was carried out between the 25th September and the 16th October, just before the weather really deteriorated...
Service & tasting
Discover our tips for serving and tasting your wine in the best conditions.
Service & tasting
Discover our tips for serving and tasting your wine in the best conditions.