By Chateau Olivier
Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru Classe 2012

Weather Conditions
After a cold, dry winter followed by a damp, cool spring, flowering came late and was uneven. Particular efforts were put into the vines, with meticulous green harvesting to eliminate any bunches that were getting behind in their ripening. The fine, dry weather from mid-July through to 25 of September provided excellent conditions for ripening. We even observed slight water stress on the Bel Air plots where the gravel soils played their filtration role for the Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The rains at the end of September accelerated the ripening process after a fine, dry summer, in typical Bordeaux fashion. Fortunately, almost all the grapes had been brought in, with good ripeness levels and in perfect condition, before weather conditions took a turn for the worse with heavy rain in October.

Production Notes
Harvest Dates: 1st to 18th October; handpicked in small baskets.
Vinification: Slow fermentation with temperature control; long and soft post-fermentation extraction and skin contact; malolactic fermentation in vats and barrels.
Ageing: 12 months, 35% new barrels
Alcohol: 13.50%
Yield: 38 HL/HA
Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
Appellation: Pessac-Leognan
Owner: Famille de Bethmann
Managing Director: Laurent Lebrun

Vineyard Notes
Area: 60 hectares
Soils: Gravels (50%), clay-limestone (35%), and sand (15%)
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
Average Age: 22 years

Tasting Notes
Its colour is a beautiful bright red. The nose is very aromatic with notes of red fruits, licorice, and spices. All the maturity of Cabernet Sauvignon is felt in the mouth with silky tannins that associate with the roundness of the Merlot. The palate is dense. A beautiful fruity length, this wine marks down by its balance and structure.
[Information provided by Maison Sichel]

Chateau Olivier 2012 Pessac-Leognan
Points: 93
Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend
Appellation: Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Winery: Chateau Olivier
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Category: Red
Importer: Chateau Olivier
Date Published: 5/1/2015
This wine is full, juicy and fresh with acidity as well as ripe plum fruits. It's concentrated with a big layer of sweet tannins and firm structure. At the same time, the wine offers the right balance between fruit potential and dry texture. Drink from 2020.

CHATEAU OLIVIER PESSAC-LEOGNAN 2012
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Vintage: 2012
Score: 91
Very fine and pretty with blueberry, mineral and almond character. Full and reserved. Polished tannins give an attractive mouthfeel and a long finish. Better in 2017.

CHATEAU OLIVIER Pessac-Leognan 2012
Score: 90
Release Price: $55
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Mar 31, 2015
Lively bramble and cassis bush notes lead off, followed by juicy plum, blackberry and anise accents. A flash of mesquite lines the slightly toasted finish. Still a touch tight, this should fill out fully with some modest cellaring. Best from 2011 through 2020. -JM

2012 Chateau Olivier (Pessac-Leognan) 89
This medium-bodied and elegant lighter style of Pessac Leognan offers sweet licorice, plums and dark cherries with supple textures in an open style. One of the best vintages of Olivier I recall tasting. 89-91 Tasted Apr 25, 2013

2012 Olivier
France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan
Rating: 88
Color: Red
Maturity: Early
Type: Table
Sweetness: Dry
Variety: Proprietary Blend
Drink Date: 2015 - 2029
Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Issue Date: 29th Apr 2015
Source: 218, The Wine Advocate
This dark, ruby/purple wine from this famous fortified chateau is indicative of a higher level of quality emerging from this perennial underachiever. The 2012 exhibits nice, sweet black cherry, strawberry and currant fruit and spicy oak, earth and spice. It is elegant, medium-bodied and best drunk over the next 12-14 years. Kudos to proprietor Jean-Jacques de Bethmann for upgrading the performance of this estate.

Ch Olivier 2012 Pessac-Leognan
Producer: Ch Olivier
Vintage: 2012
Appellation: Pessac-Leognan
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Score: 15.5/20
Colour: Red
When to drink: 2022 - 2032
Published: 11 Feb 2016
Date tasted: 20 Jan 2016
Reviewer: Jancis Robinson
Tasted blind. A bit sweaty on the nose. Rather austere on the finish. Sweet and minty impression overall.