The 2012 Cappella, probably has less Cabernet Franc than his other cuvées but at least 25-30%. This wine has closed down since I had it from barrel last year, but that probably reflects more on its post-bottling dormancy. A wine... Read More
Aged in Taransaud (75%) and Darnajou (25%) oak, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Tin Box is more backward than the perfect 2011 was last year, but it reveals similar decadence, opulence and velvety texture. Its opaque blue/black/purple... Read More
A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, the 2012 Camaspelo is more refined and elegant than the Lovers release, showing a seamless, elegant profile to go with lots of dark fruits, savory herbs, graphite and hints of... Read More
A close second (and who knows how they might perform at different times and with different foods) is the 2012 Cariad Proprietary Red Wine, made from grapes grown by David Abreu at his estate vineyards in Napa. This blend of 53%... Read More
Dalla Valle was the first winery to demonstrate what heights Cabernet Franc could reach in the valley with their Maya proprietary blend, which averages 50-55% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2012 Maya is a... Read More
The 2012 Cerro Sur, a proprietary blend of 62% Cabernet Franc and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, is a real killer, demonstrating how well these two grapes blend together when crafted by two brilliant viticulturists and winemakers, Annie... Read More
The 2012 Futo is just as impressive as it has always been. One of the darker, more brooding wines of the vintage, the 2012 exudes radiance and intensity. Dark fleshed fruit, exotic spices, espresso and menthol are some of the... Read More
More supple, soft and approachable, the 2012 Vin de France l'O de la Vie comes from the younger vines on the estate and is mostly Syrah. Blackberry, violets and black pepper define this classic, delicious and easy-drinking... Read More
The 212 Minervois La Ciaude, which is mostly old-vine Carignan with smaller parts Syrah and Grenache, also has serious minerality to go with tangy black cherry, black fruits, leather and violet aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied,... Read More
My favorite of the 2012s, the 2012 Minervois Les Carretals (named after the vineyard where it comes from) offers deep, layered aromas and flavors of cassis and crunchy dark fruits, licorice, vanilla bean and searing minerality.... Read More
The flagship wine of the estate in reds is their Insignia, which has been one of the great Bordeaux blends made in California since the debut vintage in 1974. It usually has 30+ years aging potential, even in lighter vintages,... Read More
The iconic 2012 Proprietary Red Opus One is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 2% Malbec aged 18 months in French oak. A classy, complex, suave and savory 2012 Opus One, with notes... Read More
The 2012 Proprietary Red Blend (79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot) is fabulous with complex notes of plum, blackcurrants, blueberries, raspberries, licorice and very subtle background... Read More
One of my favorite wines, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Réservée is a classic. Beautiful on the nose, with notions of ground pepper, wild herbs, minerality and smoked plum and dark fruit, it's medium to full-bodied, nicely... Read More
Made from a selection of the lots considered not rich enough for Les Pavots, the 2012 L'Esprit des Pavots is a 1,710-case blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. A fruity red displaying... Read More
The 2012 Terrasses du Larzac Habilis is outstanding. A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan that was completely destemmed and aged 18 months in stainless steel, it has lots of black raspberry and darker fruits, truffle,... Read More