2012
Chateau Talbot 2012 Saint-Julien
Cassis, blackcurrant and red currant lead a polished aroma, joined by plum, roasted herbs and a restrained tarry note. The palate is juicy and rounded, with soft tannins, fresh acidity and a medium-bodied sense of balance. Cedar, liquorice and spice add savoury depth. The finish is persistent and composed, leaving dark berries, dried herbs and gentle mineral lift.
Montes 2012 Folly Syrah
Dark plum, raspberry and blackberry open with a concentrated, savoury depth. The palate is rich and firmly structured, bringing dark chocolate into line with hot stone, white pepper and layered spice. Ripe fruit remains clear beneath the wine's power. The finish is long and warming, leaving black fruit, mineral tension, pepper and a measured touch of cocoa.
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza 2012 Reserva
Graceful and classically styled, with ripe fruit, gentle smoke and polished oak forming a seamless aromatic line. The palate is medium-bodied and smooth, with oak warmth building around the fruit in a measured, savoury shape. Nothing feels excessive or heavy. The finish is composed and persistent, leaving soft smoke, mellow fruit and a quietly traditional Rioja character.
Bauchet 2012 Saint-Nicaise Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Champagne
White stone fruit and lemongrass meet delicate floral notes, followed by subtle woodland and fresh mushroom complexity. The palate remains bright and precise, with a fine, chiselled mousse and enough maturity to feel layered without losing freshness. Dry and persistent through the finish, it suits shellfish, roast chicken, mushroom risotto or nutty alpine cheese.
Champagne Gardet 2012 Millésime Extra Brut Magnum
Veuve Clicquot 2012 La Grande Dame
White flowers, jasmine and honeysuckle open into apple, pear and ripe peach. Fresh almond and frangipane add quiet richness before dried apricot, hazelnut and a light honeyed note emerge on the palate. Silky in texture yet firmly structured, it balances depth and power with fine mineral tension, finishing long, elegant and remarkably composed.
Charles Heidsieck 2012 Brut Millésimé Champagne
Gold in the glass with a fine, persistent mousse. Candied citrus, baked apple and white flowers lead into toasted brioche, roasted hazelnut and a touch of clear honey. The palate is broad and creamy yet held taut by lemony acidity and mineral freshness. A long, saline finish brings almond, smoke and quiet spice.
Keever Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Fresh plum and blackberry lead an intense, complex Cabernet, joined by grilled fig and a light thread of sweet pipe tobacco. The fruit is fully ripe, but the opening remains bright rather than heavy. Dark berry richness and savoury tobacco hold the centre, carrying the generous aromatic profile into a composed, lingering close.
Scarecrow 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Spiced plum, blackberry, mocha and cassis create a dark, concentrated aromatic profile, with floral lift and wet-stone minerality adding contrast. The palate is opulent yet balanced, placing dense black fruit inside a finely structured frame. Gravelly detail and integrated tannins carry the Cabernet through a powerful, remarkably composed finish.
Corra Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Dark baked cherry opens with perfumed raspberry and blueberry, followed by a light touch of sweet tobacco and sage. The palate is bright, juicy and rich on entry, with generous berry fruit carried by a complex, silky texture. Freshness keeps the concentration poised, leading to a long, polished finish of dark fruit and savoury herbs.
Guigal 2012 Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc
White flowers, acacia honey and hawthorn blossom lead a powerful, aromatic nose, with toasted notes adding depth. The palate is rich and concentrated, layered with white peach, melon, citrus and gentle nuttiness. A dense, rounded texture is balanced by mineral tension, carrying subtle spice through the long, persistent finish.
Gemstone Vineyard 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Napa Valley
Blackberry, cassis and violet lead with crushed rock, liquorice and warm spice. Dense Cabernet fruit and plum move across a finely grained palate, balanced by energetic acidity and a distinctly gravelly mineral edge. Dark chocolate, espresso, smoke and tobacco build underneath, while mature tannins carry the layered fruit through a long, resonant finish.
Keever Vineyards 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Blackberry and black cherry lead an elegant bouquet, joined by floral lift, vanilla and mocha as it opens. The palate is soft yet densely flavoured, with darker fruit carrying into a smooth finish. Fine, well-integrated tannins provide length without domination, making this a composed match for roast beef or lamb.
Fairview Cellars 2012 Premier Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark fruit, cassis and prune lead, joined by leather and a measured tobacco note. The palate is broad and silky, with red currant and plum adding lift around a dry, medium-bodied frame. Smooth, still-present tannins give shape, while dark chocolate and savoury maturity settle into a balanced, medium-length finish.
Julia Kemper 2012 Aragonez Dão DOC
Deep ruby with wild blackberry at the centre, edged by gentle spice and a cool, resinous hint of pine. The palate is dry and velvety, with fine-grained tannins keeping the ripe fruit composed. Elegant rather than forceful, it carries fresh acidity and a delicate savoury line into a clean, quietly persistent finish.
Borgo Del Tiglio 2012 Rosso Riserva
Deep red and full-bodied, opening with black cherry and blackcurrant before baking spice and earthy undertones add depth. Bright acidity keeps the ripe dark fruit balanced, while firm, integrated tannins give the palate a composed, dry shape. The finish is clean and lingering rather than heavy. Decant carefully and serve with roast lamb, braised beef or aged cheese.
Chiappini 2012 Guado de’ Gemoli Bolgheri Superiore DOC
Bright ruby-purple in the glass, with ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and plum aromas layered over liquorice, sage and rosemary. The palate is warm and supple, offering dense, ripe fruit and finely meshed tannins. Mineral and savoury notes keep the wine focused before a silky, persistent finish with polished structure.
Yalumba 2012 The Caley Cabernet Shiraz
A composed Cabernet–Shiraz blend with cassis, violet and rose petal, followed by iodine, cedar and a fine mineral note. The palate is deep and seamless, bringing Cabernet structure together with the breadth of Shiraz. Chalky tannins and fresh acidity shape the long finish, giving the wine the balance for roast beef, lamb or slow-cooked dishes.
Dr. H. Thanisch 2012 Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese
Honey and gentle apple open on the nose, leading into a light-bodied palate with a measured balance of sweetness and acidity. Mineral-infused Bosc pear sits at the centre, joined by nectarine and a subtle touch of brown sugar. Refreshing and composed, the flavours linger steadily through the finish.
E. Guigal 2012 Ermitage Ex-Voto Rouge
Crème de cassis and black raspberry lead, layered with crushed rock, liquorice and a subtle savoury note. The palate is powerful and full-bodied, with concentrated dark fruit wrapped in ripe, steadily building tannins. Vanilla and spice add depth without softening the wine's mineral focus or its exceptionally long finish.