Clos Fourtet, St-Émilion, 1er Grand Cru Classé B, Bordeaux, France 2012

Expressive red and dark fruit nose. Palate plush, ripe and harmonious. Fresh and long on the finish. Fine grained tannins. Gets the nod over 2011.

Tasted after the 2008, the 2012 seems fatter and less interesting as it lacks the tension of the 2008. However, I like its ripe black cherry, plum, blackberry and wet stone freshness, delivered in a full-bodied, enveloping palate. Give it time to develop endearing tertiary aspects. 3.7pH.