2012 Château La Violette

A truly magnificent wine, the 2012 La Violette boasts off the charts intensity and resonance, with a finish that seems to last forever. So many 2012s look like they will drink well young. This is not one of them. Readers will have to be patient with what is shaping up to be one of the real highlights of the vintage. Blueberry jam, spice, lavender, mint and violet blossom into the beautifully textured finish. This is a magnificent showing.

A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2012 La Violette has a very floral, blueberry and raspberry nose, inky purple color, exceptional texture, full-bodied richness and stunning purity, symmetry and palate presence. This is, possibly, the wine of the year. Unfortunately, there is so little of it available and it is virtually impossible to find. The vineyard is only 4.4 acres, the yields tiny, and usually the final blend includes at least 80% Merlot. Drink it over the next 20 years.

A solid core of fruit with blackberry, dark chocolate and spices. Full body, with fine tannins and a long finish. Pretty length to this. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com