Crus Bourgeois - the 2012s

2012 Crus Bourgeois from Medoc sub-regions

These lesser-known Medoc sub-regions (Moulis-En-Medoc, Listrac-Medoc) are something of a halfway-house between entry level Medoc / Haut-Medoc and the more famous sub-regions of the classed growths (Margaux, Pauillac et al).

The word "fresh" comes up a lot in my tasting notes for these 2012 Crus Bourgeois - it was a coolish year, and the best wines are juicy, berry-fruited and vibrant.

More burgundian on the whole than bordelais, they need to have been made with a gentle hand with seemingly more Merlot in the blend, giving flavours of coffee, liquorice and fresh cherries more than cassis and cigar box.

They are generally light-ish early drinkers, but the best have some substance and oak, so will take a bit of aging. But in general, you can buy now and drink now whilst waiting for other vintages to come into their own.

You can also match with lighter foods - Bordeaux with vegetable starters? You can with these 2012s.

Caroline, no - oh go on then
Chateau Caroline, Moulis-En-Medoc 2012 fresh berry fruit and sweet spices. Vibrant and inky.

Chateau Lalande, Listrac-Medoc, 2012 expressive with fresh dark fruit, coffee, spices, liquorice and pencil shavings; fine tannins and a supple, muscular texture. Good.

Fat-bottomed girls - this comes in a heavy bottle so must be *really* good, right? Well, actually, it is.
Chateau Baudan, Listrac-Medoc, 2012  ripe blackcurrant, coffee and oaky spice; supple, harmonious and fresh. Good.

Other related articles
The CWB Bordeaux-Off
Crus Bourgeois 2011
Crus Bourgeois 2013