Château Olivier 2012

A focused, steely style, with a chiseled thyme and savory edge running along a rapierlike core of chamomile, quinine, white peach and yellow apple fruit. Shows solid zip and depth, and should age well. This estate has delivered superb back-to-back whites in '11 and '12. Best from 2015 through 2019.

Closed and tight, this dense wine is slow to develop. It has great weight, richness, powerful green and white fruits that are coming through the complex texture. It needs to age. Drink from 2018.

Fine clarity of expression and firm, dry honey yet mineral fruit, fine precision for a good futue.

Tasted blind. Reduced and then pinched on the palate. Difficult to find the fruit. Inexpressive for the moment. (JR)

The colour is still quite youthful, with a slight green hue. Colour intensity is approaching golden, light golden. Gently roasted on the nose. Some new oak. Plenty of yellow fruit. There is an herbal spiciness. Plenty of lemon zest, with some honey, cut grass. Very intense and layered. Good grip on the taste. Very fresh acidity. There is also a good deal of extract here, like lemon zest, lime. Very lingering on the finish. Fine integration of oak. Very juicy and attractive today. Quite bold and generous at the same time. It is restrained by that firm acidity. Truly fine example. Good drinkability now, but with the potential for another six, seven, eight years.

Bright yellow with a greenish tinge. Restrained bouquet with hints of lemon as well as Granny Smith apple. On the palate, the wine is far more aromatic than on the nose, showing finesse and plenty of grapey notes. A very fine bitterness on the finish suggests sufficient skin contact during maceration.

Bright yellow with a slight greenish tinge. A restrained bouquet, with hints of lemon as well as Granny Smith apple. On the palate, the wine is far more expressive than on the nose, showing finesse and plenty of grapey notes; a very fine bitterness on the finish suggests sufficient skin contact during maceration.

Mineral, light and fresh bouquet, with fine citrus notes and cooked apples. Austere, broad palate with medium fruit, restrained acidity and a dry finish. 16/20 2014 - 2025

Olivier is a very structured wine, strongly marked by Sauvignon, with good length and a lovely finish.

Pale green color. Fruity nose, fresh and ripe in style. A hint of citrus. Very fruity, smooth and fresh on the palate, with good density, developing a slightly peppery note and a long finish. A pleasant wine.