(NM92-94 points) Tasted twice with consistent notes, the Grand Vin is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot picked from 1 to 16 October at 45hl/ha. If offers plenty of ripe black plum and mulberry fruit on the nose that evolves a marine-like influence. The palate is medium-bodied with a soft entry that belies that tannins that become more evident towards the finish. There is good weight here, a real class act and the finish is one of the finest that I have encountered on the Grand Vin at this primal stage. Certainly one to look out for once released.

As with the 2011, this is pretty much ready to go, although a very different style, with fatter fruits, less elegant but more fruit-forward, enjoyable ripe blackberries and blueberries, touches of liqourice and smoked cedar. 40% new oak. A little short on the finish perhaps, but charming.

This structured wine has juicy acidity as well as big, bold tannins. It’s firm and concentrated, a powerful wine that’s built for aging. Solid and dense rather than generous, this balanced wine needs many years. Drink from 2020.

From the Jean Kressmann family, Latour-Martillac has made major strides in quality in both white and red wines for well over 10-15 years. The 2012 has a dense ruby/purple color, and better integration of oak is apparent in this medium to full-bodied wine that shows lots of plum, blackcurrant, licorice and subtle earth. It is medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannin and a long finish. It is another successful 2012 from Pessac-Léognan, one of the top appellations in this vintage. Drink it over the next 15-20 years. - Robert Parker