2012 Wine

Fuller than its Liebenberg counterpart and faintly warm (though analytically harboring the same moderate (13.5%) alcohol) Alzinger’s 2012 Riesling Smaragd Hollerin reflects the deeper loess-overlain soils of this site. Apple... Read More

The Alzinger 2012 Riesling Smaragd Hohereck leads with ester-rich high-toned pit fruit distillates almond extract heliotrope wisteria and piquant peach kernel. Full and glossy its luscious white peach and apple are nonetheless... Read More

Luscious apple and white peach are allied to pumpkin and winter squash in an Alzinger 2012 Riesling Smaragd Loibenberg which is fuller more satiny in texture and more obviously extract-rich (indeed almost sweetly so) than the... Read More

"This is one of the most interesting wines to be released from Cantine del Notaio. The 2012 Aglianico del Vulture la Firma presents the fullness and the generosity of the hot vintage next to the stylistic elegance that characterizes... Read More

The 2012 Barolo Otin Fiorin Piè Rupestris - Nebioli ­has really gained in weight and stature since I last tasted it. On this night the 2012 impresses with its substance and stature qualities that emerge fully with a... Read More

Château Palmer is one of the vintage’s superstars. Opaque purple with a gorgeous nose of blueberry blackberry fruit licorice incense and graphite the wine has a multi-dimensional skyscraper-like richness stunningly well-integrated... Read More

This eloquent Champagne has an enticing waft of Mandarin orange on the nose that continues on the palate which is layered with flavors of crushed blackberry and cassis toast chopped almond graphite and oyster shell. A bright finely-knit... Read More

"The 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is one of the greatest wines I have ever tasted at Fontodi. Period. The long sublime finish alone is enough to stop you in your tracks. An exceptionally beautiful and polished... Read More

"The 2012 Flaccianello della Pieve a selection of the estate's best fruit presents a darker more virile expression of Sangiovese. Here too the purity of the flavors is truly striking. Cinnamon cloves new leather licorice and... Read More

One of the iconic names in Napa Valley and also part of the rich history for quality wine the Grgich Hills Estate 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Old Vine (which is not actually defined age-wise on the back label) has a dense... Read More

Smells fresh with lemon and soft floral scents. Delicate and refined this is crips sharp and piercing yet also layered and rich. Bitter lemon rind mixes with honeyed orange and some pie crust savoury elements to give real character.... Read More

Showing a dark color and appearance the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a beautiful wine. The 2012 vintages deliver some great surprises like the ones you get here. The wine is dark and powerful with full throttle aromas... Read More

The only white I was able to taste the 2012 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is outstanding. Coming from older vines and spending 16 months in 25% new French oak prior to bottling it offers a beautiful bouquet of lemon curd... Read More

The nose of Bodenstein’s 2012 Riesling Smaragd Wachstum Toni Bodenstein is utterly fascinating though some may find it off-putting in its suggestion of butchered animal innards musk peat as well as white peach and diverse citrus.... Read More

A perfect wine any way you look at it the 2012 Grenache Rattrapante comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent 33 months in 27% new French oak. My notes start - and end - with “Wow.” Giving... Read More

Lastly the utterly perfect 2012 Syrah Touche reminds me of a great vintage of Guigal’s Cote Rotie La Landonne. A blend of 93% Syrah 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills... Read More

The 2012 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne is showing beautifully out of the gates offering up demonstrative aromas of sweet golden orchard fruit buttery croissants peach and hazelnuts. Medium to full-bodied pillowy and... Read More

Tenuta San Guido's newest release is the 2012 Bolgheri Sassicaia. This was a warm vintage, especially during summer months that saw hot winds and little rain. Thankfully, winter months delivered ample precipitation. Vines... Read More