2012 Château Patache d'Aux 50cl, Bordeaux, France, Médoc Cru Bourgeois

The Chevaliers d'Aux (descendants of the Comtes d'Armagnac) were the first owners of this Estate in Bégadan in 1632.

Seized as a state property in the Year IV of the French Revolution, this estate was then turned into a relay for stagecoaches, better known in the Medoc under the name "Patache".

Classified as a Cru Bourgeois in 1932, this estate has been owned by the Lapalu family in 1964.

This is what the professionals say about it:

Jancis Robinson 16/20: Dark black cherry. Sweet chocolatey cassis. Invitingly savoury and dark overall. Firm, dense and oaky but lovely juicy freshness on the finish. Harmonious and sustained and a little leafy.

Robert Parker 88-90: The Patache d’Aux has a very well composed, quite refined bouquet that shows good ripeness and prudent use of oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, ripe, quite sturdy tannins and a conservative, but nicely focused, fresh finish that bodes well for the future.

Guide Hachette: The grand wine of the domain is, in its 2012-version, round, crips, fruity and well-balanced.

Decanter 15,75/20: Good cassis fruit, good straightforward Medoc charm and some depth. Drink 2015-2020.

James Suckling 89-90: Very well done with berry, currant and floral character. Full body, with velvety tannins and a clean finish.