GOING BACK TO CALI
The 2012 vintage could be one of the best in decades for top Napa Valley estates, which produced reds of great purity and clarity with structure and finesse. As well as the intensity of fruit expected in a top year, the wines display the unique character
BOND NAPA VALLEY MELBURY 2012
This is my favourite single-vineyard wine of the vintage for Bond. So much terracotta and plum character. It’s full-bodied, with super freshness and balance. Vibrant. Tingling. From a special hillside vineyard with clay soil. Hard not to drink now. 99 points
COLGIN IX ESTATE NAPA VALLEY 2012
Fabulous intensity and energy, and so complex, with wet earth, violet, blackcurrant, black olive, sweet tobacco and blackberry. Give it until 2019 to soften. 98 points
DIAMOND CREEK CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY RED ROCK TERRACE 2012
The estate’s greatest red ever? Impressive aromas of clay, dust and blueberry. Lots of blackcurrant, too. Pure fruit. Full body, velvety and soft, cashmere-textured tannins. Try in 2020. 99 points
HARLAN ESTATE NAPA VALLEY 2012
Fantastic character of lavender, violet and dark fruit follows through to ultra-fine tannins and a dense, rich fruit finish. Tightly wound and beautifully balanced. Muscular. Try in 2020. 98 points
OPUS ONE NAPA VALLEY 2012
One of the most exciting ever from Opus. So much character, with blackcurrant, blueberry, dark chocolate and forest flower. A full body with seamless tannins. October release. 97 points
DOMINUS ESTATE NAPA VALLEY 2012
An exciting Dominus, with clarity of fruit and soil on the nose and palate. Lots of blackcurrant, blackberry, violet and stone. Full body with big, soft tannins and chocolate, hazelnut and dark fruit character. Try in 2020. 98 points
PETER MICHAEL OAKVILLE NAPA VALLEY AU PARADIS 2012
A relatively new addition to the Peter Michael range and made from a single vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley. Phenomenal aromas of dust, rust, blackberry, currants and dried berries. Spices such as nutmeg and cloves. Stunning. Try in 2018. 98 points
ARAUJO ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY EISELE VINEYARD 2012
This is the first hands-on vintage for the owners of Château Latour, and their precision winemaking comes through. A pure cabernet sauvignon joy, with black fruit, sage and spearmint. Full body with compressed tannins. Better in 2018. 98 points
DANA ESTATES CABERNET SAUVIGNON RUTHERFORD NAPA VALLEY HELMS VINEYARD 2012
Extraordinary aromas of metal shavings, blackcurrant and hazelnut that turn to rose and violet. Full body, sexy and elegant. A triumph. Try in 2019 but hard not to drink now. September release. 99 points
SCREAMING EAGLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY 2012
A combination of decadence and exactitude. Shows incredible purity of fruit, with lavender, sage and blackcurrant character. Full-bodied and structured, it’s a new benchmark for modern Napa cabs. 100 points