2012 Long Shadows Pirouette Red
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Tasting notes
Showing even better than last year, the shockingly concentrated, layered and deeply fruited 2012 Pirouette (mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with 19% Merlot and smaller parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) gives up layers of chocolatey dark fruits, smoked herbs and graphite, as well as a seamless, polished and perfectly balanced style on the palate. I clearly underrated this last year.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(14.9% alcohol; 3.82 pH; the Cabernet Sauvignon is mostly from Red Mountain): Classic aromas of cassis, minerals, licorice, violet and dark chocolate, with Taransaud barrels contributing sex appeal. Plush and seamless but still youthfully unevolved, with the black raspberry and dark chocolate flavors showing lively mineral lift. Finishes tannic and very long but seriously clenched, in need of substantial cellaring. Boasts excellent energy; Nicault noted that nothing was acidified here in 2012.
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc. Plump, juicy fruit with a peppery spice and finely hewn tannin. Tender, digestible. Lots of dark concentration and a fair whack of alcohol too. (RH)