(MoneyWeek) - I spent the whole of last week in Bordeaux, tasting the 2012 vintage, and I was very impressed with the best wines. While they are not in the same league in terms of intensity and sheer scale as the 2009s and 2010s, there are some stunning wines in this vintage. 

The remarkable balance and mid-range alcohol levels make these wines refreshing, crunchy, sensual and classically dimensioned – characteristics I love. 

The 2012 vintage in Bordeaux was a game of three halves. A trio of distinct and challenging climatic conditions defines the wines. Early spring was very cold and wet and it rained all of the way up until July. This meant that the harvest was to be down on volume and this was compounded by problems with heightened humidity, which brought in mildew and other nasties. Then, suddenly, it got hot.