Hosanna 2012

Delicately leafy, then the real Moueix McCoy with those very fine, fine tannins, dry and savoury. On the more austere side but with a gentle demeanour. Very fine and elegant. Listen carefully; it does not shout. (JH)

The nose has the fleshiness of ripe plum and the sweetness of the fruit fills out the start of the palate. The rich sweet flavours are balanced by the freshness of bramble and bilberry and this gives a lighter less concentrated feel on the finish. 2020-35.

There's a streak of green pepper in this wine that is reminiscent of a Loire Valley red, butit's none the worse for it. Fragrant and well balanced, with palate-cleansing acidity, sweettannins and a silky finish. More Cabernet Franc than Merlot in style, but the perfume andfreshness are very attractive.Drink: 2020-30

Hosanna's dense ruby/purple color is followed by a floral, black raspberry, black currant, mulberry, Christmas fruitcake and licorice-scented bouquet. Full-bodied (especially for a 2012 as well as a Pomerol), rich, concentrated and strikingly pure, it combines great finesse/elegance with power and substance. It should drink well when released and age nicely for two decades or more. One of the stars of the vintage, Christian Moueix's 2012 Hosanna (80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) was created from very tiny yields because poor flowering in the spring caused significant losses to the Merlot crop. This wine comes close in quality to Petrus, Trotanoy and l'Eglise Clinet, three indisputable stars of the vintage in Pomerol.

A young wine with a tangy, fresh acidity and lots of subtle chocolate and berry character. It's full-bodied, with integrated tannins and a long finish. Generous in the end. Sexy for the vintage.