26th April, 2013 by Rupert Millar
In a move that echoes his scores for the 2011 vintage, only Pomerol estate l’Eglise Clinet gained the coveted top spot, albeit with a very broad 96-100 point spread.
Unsurprisingly, given his praise for Pomerol in his video overview last week, the top three wines were all from the Right Bank commune.
Trotanoy and Pétrus received 96-98 and 95-98+ respectively. The top Left Bank estate was Mouton Rothschild with 95-97 points (which may help boost it further following its generous price cut).
Last year’s 100-pointer, Ausone, also received 95-97 points. The list is dominated by Right Bank estates, with Rauzan Ségla, Léoville Las Cases, Haut-Brion (all 93-95), Latour and Margaux (both 92-94), Cos d’Estournel and Lafite (92-95) being the standout Left Bank names.
Other strong Right Bank performers included: Hosanna, La Fleur Petrus, Bellevue Mondotte, La Mondotte, Troplong-Mondot and Cheval Blanc which all scored between 94-96/97 points.
The week’s most controversial releases from Angélus and Pavie will be pleased to see scores of 94-96 (96+ in Pavie’s case), but, while strong, the prices they’re seeking may negate the positive review.
In his roundup, as in his video, Parker explained: “While 2012 is not a great vintage, it is an excellent one in Pomerol, Pessac-Léognan and for some St.-Emilions.”
Despite his preference for the Right Bank, he did commend the Left for producing many, “charming, mid-weight, delicious wines without an excess of concentration or tannin.”
He ended with a warning that the futures market and Bordeaux were, “at a crossroads” and stressed that price would have to drop further if the system was going to continue.
“If the movers, shakers and powers that be in Bordeaux don’t listen,” he warned, “there is no tomorrow.”
Parker’s full overview and scores can be read on erobertparker.com here (£).
Full reaction to the scores and further releases will be followed on the drinks business from Monday.
It is now anyone’s guess what l’Eglise Clinet will choose to release at and whether the scores will boost interest in the campaign.
