2012 Petit Village 15000ml

94 POINTS

Tim Atkin

Is this the best modern vintage of Petit Village? It’s certainly a step up from 2011. Winemaker Jean-René Matignon says the quality of the Merlot was exceptional this year and it shows in the wine: sweet, sumptuous and ripe with hints of coffee and spice and a backbone of acidity and freshness from the Cabernet. Drink: 2020-35.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

Aromas of dark fruits and flowers follow through to a full body, fine tannins and a fresh, clean finish. Very fine and pretty. One of the best PVs in years. Better in 2018.

92 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

“Barrel sample. A ripe and fruity wine, this exhibits an well-structured balance of acidity and sweet tannins. It has weight, richness, and a fine fruitiness.”

91 POINTS

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

Blending 80% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine will be aged in 80% new French oak, reaching 13.8% alcohol. Whole berry fermented, the wine opens with licorice, black cherry liqueur, coffee, cocoa and earthy notes, offering silky textures, soft tannins and a sweet, ripe, red and black cherry finish. 90-92 Pts

91 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

This is nicely rendered, with dark plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit laced with mulled spice, roasted cedar and black tea notes. Everything melds pleasantly through the plush yet refined finish. Approachable now, but no rush. Drink now through 2022. 2,083 cases made. –JM

91 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2012 Petit-Village is juicy, exuberant and forward, with striking palate presence, silky tannins and terrific overall balance. Sweet floral and spice notes add nuance on the gracious finish. Readers should expect a decidedly feminine, sensual Pomerol with considerable early and mid-term appeal. There is plenty to like here. The Petit-Village could very well be a sleeper of the vintage. In 2012 the blend is 80% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine spent 20 months in barrel, 80% new. Julien Lavenu is the consulting winemaker.

90 POINTS

Ian D'Agata - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

(a blend of 80% merlot, 14% cabernet franc and 6% cabernet sauvignon; aging in 80% new oak):   Fully saturated, opaque inky-purple.  Aromatic coffee and tobacco nuances complicate pure blackberry and cassis on the nose.  Then big and supple, with a peppery bite to the mineral and black fruit flavors.  Finishes fresh and vibrant for such a rich wine but with a slightly tough quality on the rising finish.

Neal Martin - Wine Advocate

I tasted two samples of Petit Village just over a week apart. The first had a relatively light, earthy bouquet that needed to show a little more expression and exuberance, whilst the second addressed that problem and put it right. The palate is medium-bodied with clean, fresh red fruit with touches of cedar and undergrowth. It develops an introspective, conservative finish that needs to show more...excitement. One hopes that is exhibits more panache after bottling. Tasted April 2013.