2012 RdV Vineyards Lost Mountain
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Tasting notes
46% Cabernet Sauvignon. 40% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot blend with Eric Boissenot of the Médoc as consultant. This is the main wine of Rutger de Vink's meticulously maintained estate. Being a voluptuous Bordeaux blend, it is arguably less distinctive than the Merlot-based Rendezvous 'second wine' since this space is occupied by tens of thousands of other wines. This is velvety-textured, a little bit sweet on palate entry but certainly doesn't seem hot. There's an attractive balsam note to this which keeps it appetising. And you could enjoy it straight away. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Mark Squires
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Lost Mountain is a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 14% Merlot, aged in 70% new oak. A bit like the 2009 in this issue's vertical, this has nowhere near the depth of the '10, but it is a bit more backward than the 2011 and not as expressive just yet. (Drink the 2011 while waiting on its siblings behind and ahead of it.) A bit tight and elegant, with fine penetration and focus, this shows the winery's style--finesse, elegance and structure, while being impeccably balanced. Noting that this is rather unevolved, it may yet be entitled to an uptick.
Lean energy abounds here, with Cabernet Franc character dominant in the raspberry leaf, black tea and white pepper aromatics. Plenty of lift through the palate, with some bitter black chocolate notes against the raspberry and red cherry fruit, soft but still delivering, with liqourice, campfire smoke and a mouthwatering salinity on the finish. 90% new oak. The most Bordeaux in character of the wines in the mini vertical, from a vintage with a particularly long growing season. Eric Boissenot consultant, Rutger de Vink owner, Joshua Grainer winemaker.