2012 – Vinum Lector

Le Dragon de Quintus Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC

Vinum Lector Staff — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:15:52 +0000

TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol 14%

APPEARANCE
Dense, purple-red color.

NOSE
The nose is greeted by a variety of plums. As if that were not impressive enough, black cherry and vanilla also join in.

PALATE
The wine is attractive, very round, smooth and fresh, with red fruit, redcurrant and blueberry overtones.

AGEING
18 months in 40% new oak barrels.

PAIRING
This developed red works perfectly as a pairing wine for a variety of meat and game dishes, but it’s also a pleasure when enjoyed solo.

RATINGS

91pts

90pts

4

Susana Balbo Nosotros Library Edition Cabernet Sauvignon

Vinum Lector Staff — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:11:22 +0000

Nosotros line celebrates the efforts of all the people who work day by day to make this wine and it is considered the winery’s “selection of selections”. This wine celebrates our story of courage, which began 25 years ago with the dream of the founder, Susana Balbo, the first female winemaker in Argentina. A second dream came true in 2012 when her two children, José and Ana, joined the family business. The Nosotros Library Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 from Valle de Uco is a wine that stood out in that vintage and was stored in the family cellar. Today, we celebrate the 25 years with this grape variety, which we see as one of Argentina's hidden gems, as well as Susana's favorite variety. For more info, visit Susana Balbo website. VARIETAL 100% Cabernet Sauvignon VINTAGE 2012 Download Tasting Note

Baron de Brane Margaux AOC (Château Brane-Cantenac GCC 2nd wine)

Vinum Lector Staff — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:22:52 +0000

Château Brane-Cantenac stands proudly in the heart of the prestigious Margaux appellation. Renowned for its wines of remarkable elegance and finesse, this 75-hectare property is an emblem of quality and excellence in the world of fine wines. Since Henri Lurton took over in 1992, he has made it his mission to produce the best possible wine, reinforcing Brane’s position as a second classified growth in 1855. The Château de Brane-Cantenac vineyard is unique in that the terroir of the Brane plateau contributes to the elegant and aromatic signature of the estate's wines. Baron de Brane is the second wine from Château Brane-Cantenac. This wine is a tribute to Baron Jacques-Maxime de Brane, who owned the vineyard in the 19th century. This second wine is made from deep gravel plots of clay gravel. For more info, visit Château Brane-Cantenac website. VARIETALS 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc VINTAGE 2012 - Download Tasting Note 2014 - Download Tasting Note 2016 - Download Tasting Note 2019 - Download Tasting Note

Pastourelle de Clerc Milon Pauillac AOC (Château Clerc Milon GCC 2nd wine)

Vinum Lector Staff — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:50:54 +0000

Tied to the Seigneuries of Lafite and Mouton (future First Classified Growths belonging to two different branches of the Rothschild family), Château Clerc Milon derives its name from its historic owners, the Clerc family, who acquired it when it was sold as a national asset after the French Revolution. Living testimony to the considerable improvements in quality achieved at the property since the arrival of Baron Philippe and his descendants, Château Clerc Milon now has a second wine. Pastourelle de Clerc Milon has joined the dance and already accomplished its first very confident steps in the company of fine Pauillac wines. Its name comes from a traditional dance, the pastourelle, which evokes a knight’s romantic encounter with a shepherdess: the name echoes the pair of dancers that adorn the label of the Grand Vin. Made of gold, enamel and pearls, this precious miniature from the Museum of Wine in Art at Château Mouton Rothschild belonged to Catherine II, the empress of Russia, and is inspired by characters of the Commedia dell’Arte. Baroness Philippine de Rothschild chose it as the Clerc Milon emblem because of her love of the theatre. 2012 was a year of contrasts. The conditions of the vintage favoured superb expression of the Merlot, here mostly planted on clay-limestone parcels. For more info, visit Château Clerc Milon website. VARIETALS 65% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc VINTAGE 2012 - Download Tasting Note 2014 - Download Tasting Note 2015 - Download Tasting Note 2016 - Download Tasting Note 2020 - Download Tasting Note 2021 - Download Tasting Note 2022 - Download Tasting Note

Opus One Napa Valley

Vinum Lector Staff — Fri, 16 May 2025 13:40:54 +0000

TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol 14.5%

APPEARANCE
Dark ruby red.

NOSE
The 2012 Opus One effuses fresh dark fruit aromas accentuated by subtler notes of forest-floor and graphite.

PALATE
The wine’s round mouthfeel and satiny tannins wrap around classic flavors of cassis, blackberry and black cherry. This refined and age-worthy wine simultaneously offers a long lingering finish, with lively acidity and a sturdy structure at the close.

AGEING
In new oak barrels for 17,5 months.

PAIRING
Throughout the meal, Opus One is a wine that goes well with large meat dishes, perhaps enhanced with a sprinkling of fine black truffle.