Bordeaux 2012: The top-rated wines tasted 10 years on

There are some good and charming wines, but no great wines, in 2012.

This was the verdict of a producer whose honest judgements I have learned to value, when we tasted the vintage together, en primeur, in April 2013. Retasting the vintage 10 years on, I find he has been proved correct. That’s all right.

We need in-between years to drink while waiting for the celebrated vintages to reach their best, especially if they cost less at the outset. Most top 2005s and many 2010s from leading châteaux are still not near their best. Most 2012s are fully ready.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the best 40 Bordeaux 2012 reds

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