All these 2012 wines were tasted in Beaune, 19 March, 2014.
I have to say that this was an unexpectedly arduous task. To save your pain, and indeed, extra pain for me, I produced 1 ‘average’ tasting note that covers the majority of these wines. Of-course I will give you the notes for the wines that rose above the vintage default, and list all those that were tasted so you can ‘beware’!
2012 Mâcon-Moyenne
High-tones and ripe fruit on the nose. The palate has depth and real concentration – good texture too. Rather lifeless and heavy in the mid-palate. Long and concentrated finish but really needs more energy for enjoyment.
The above ‘Moyen’ is actually not bad if it’s only one bottle amongst many, but bottle after bottle of the same in front of any taster, particularly me, and the first note will sound vaguely positive – as above – but on continued exposure (bottle after bottle) the notes become shorter and more negative.
An occasional 2013 was inserted amongst these, and by comparison their fresh malic acid, less heavy, more energetic impression was as good as having a 15 minute rest – they were real refreshers!
First a list of 2012 wines that I don’t propose you spend too much time searching for:
Bâtie, Saint-Veran en Petart
Château Beauregard, Pouilly-Fuissé
David Bienfait, Pouilly-Fuissé Crays
Bouchard Père et Fils, Saint-Veran
Carrette, Pouilly-Fuissé
Rollet / La Chapelle, Pouilly-Fuissé
Cave Chernoyles, Mâcon
Château Vergisson, Pouilly-Fuissé
Chevalier, Macon-Fuissé
Château du Clos, Macon-Solutre-Pouilly
Deux Roches, Saint-Veran Vieilles-Vignes
Dominique Cornin, Pouilly-Fuissé Clos Reyssie
Corsin, Saint-Veran VV
Croix Senaillet, Saint-Veran
Jean Curial, Saint-Veran
Joel Curveux, Pouilly-Fuissé Vignes Blanches
Alain Delaye, Pouilly-Loché
Denante, Saint-Veran
Thierry Drouhin, Pouilly-Fuissé Marechaude
Duc, Pouilly-Loché
David Fagot, Saint-Veran Tradition
Garenne, Macon-Azé
Giroux, Pouilly-Fuissé VV
Oliver Giroux, Pouilly-Loché Clos des Rocs
Château de la Greffière, Macon La Roche Vineuse
Guerrin et Fils, Pouilly-Fuissé Sur la Roche
Remond, Macon-Prissé
Jadot, Macon Villages
Denis Geandeau, Vire-Clessé
Bruno Geandeau, Macon-Fuissé
Louis Lator, Pouilly-Vinzelles En Paradis
A few tasty 12s:
Bicheron, Màcon-Peron Vieilles-Vignes
High-toned, concentrated fruit on the nose – it’s quite striking and fresh. Silky, concentrated and with a growing intensity. Rather good!
André Bonhomme, Viré-Clessé
Some width and a faint oak-cream on the nose – quite nice. Width, concentration and very good flavour dimension. A hint of CO2. Very good length, super wine.
Bourdin, Pouilly-Fuissé
Modest and pretty aromas, and a nice, mild, twist of creamy oak. Concentrated and quite silky with growing intensity and a nice enough balance.
Vignerons de Buxy, Mâcon-St.Gengoux-le-National
High-toned, fresh and pretty nose. Good width, too much CO2 but a tasty wine with a very good finish.
Drouhin, Mâcon-Lugny
Fresh, appealing nose. Also fresh on the palate. Modest concentration but very drinkable.
Guillot-Broux, Macon-Cruzille Les Perrières
The nose is fresh though padded out with a little creamy oak. Fresh in the mouth too – wide and mineral with a good finish.
Heritiers du Comte Lafon, Macon Chardonnay
Concentrated nose. Good freshness in the mouth despite a slowly growing density. Lovely
Heritiers du Comte Lafon, Macon-Uchizy Les Maranches
The nose is wide and quite interesting. Fuller and more concentrated but with good energy and even brio. What a rarity in 2012!