2012

A challenging, age-worthy year shaped by extremes — across many regions, 2012 brought relief after difficult prior vintages, delivering wines with precision, structure, and site clarity. A comeback vintage in Burgundy and a standout year in Napa.

🗓️ Historic Moments

  • 🌊 Hurricane Sandy devastates the U.S. East Coast – Billions in damage and lasting impact

  • 👶 “Gangnam Style” becomes a global viral hit – PSY breaks YouTube records

  • 🇺🇸 Barack Obama re-elected as U.S. President – Wins second term over Mitt Romney

  • 🎥 Argo wins Best Picture at the Oscars – Political thriller set during the Iran hostage crisis

  • 📱 Facebook goes public – One of the largest tech IPOs in history

  • 💔 Whitney Houston dies – Pop icon passes away at 48

  • 🚀 SpaceX’s Dragon docks with ISS – First private spacecraft to supply the station

🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 70–82°F (21–28°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Wet spring and cool summer followed by a warm, dry autumn

Challenges/Highlights: Mildew and poor flowering reduced yields; dry September saved red grapes

Harvest Window: Mid-September to early October

Reception & Scores: Mixed reviews; Right Bank better than Left Bank

Aging Potential: Moderate; best wines structured but earlier-drinking

🇫🇷 Burgundy (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 68–80°F (20–27°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Cold winter, wet spring, and low yields from hail and disease

Challenges/Highlights: Tiny crop with intense concentration; very selective sorting required

Harvest Window: Late September

Reception & Scores: Stellar acclaim for reds; hailed as a classic by many

Aging Potential: Excellent for top reds; firm tannins and vibrant acid

🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Cold, wet start followed by dry, hot August and September

Challenges/Highlights: Mildew pressure early, then ideal ripening late

Harvest Window: Mid to late September

Reception & Scores: Solid and consistent; classic in style

Aging Potential: 10–15 years for top reds

🇫🇷 Champagne (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–75°F (18–24°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Weather extremes; hail and mildew early, sunshine late

Challenges/Highlights: Very small yields, but superb ripeness and acidity balance

Harvest Window: Mid-September

Reception & Scores: Outstanding vintage, especially for Pinot Noir

Aging Potential: Long-lived vintage; cellaring recommended

🇮🇹 Piedmont (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 70–85°F (21–29°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Hot, dry summer following a cold winter

Challenges/Highlights: Hail and drought impacted yields; healthy grapes harvested

Harvest Window: Mid to late October

Reception & Scores: Elegant, less powerful Barolos; more consistent in Barbaresco

Aging Potential: Mid-term aging; less tannic than benchmark years

🇮🇹 Tuscany (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Hot, dry year with spring frost and summer drought

Challenges/Highlights: Water stress in July/August lowered yields; quality varied by site

Harvest Window: Late September to early October

Reception & Scores: Balanced, approachable wines; less dense than 2010

Aging Potential: Moderate to long-term for best estates

🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Dry, warm vintage with little rainfall

Challenges/Highlights: Low disease pressure, good phenolic ripeness

Harvest Window: Late September to October

Reception & Scores: Classic, ripe but structured wines

Aging Potential: Strong aging for Reserva and Gran Reserva styles

🇩🇪 Mosel (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–77°F (18–25°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Slow start, warm summer, long ripening season

Challenges/Highlights: Botrytis in some areas; high acid + moderate sugar

Harvest Window: October into November

Reception & Scores: Crisp, focused Rieslings with aging potential

Aging Potential: 10–20 years for top producers

🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 78–92°F (26–33°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Textbook growing season with warm, sunny days and cool nights

Challenges/Highlights: No major threats; large and high-quality crop

Harvest Window: Late September through October

Reception & Scores: Universally praised; lush, ripe, and balanced

Aging Potential: 15–25 years for top Cabernets

🇺🇸 Sonoma (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Moderate Mediterranean | 72–88°F (22–31°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Near-perfect growing season with no significant weather issues

Challenges/Highlights: Larger crop than average, excellent balance

Harvest Window: September to early October

Reception & Scores: Vibrant, expressive wines across Pinot, Chard, and Zin

Aging Potential: Mid- to long-term, especially for Pinot and Chard

🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Maritime | 68–82°F (20–28°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Warm, dry summer with cool harvest nights

Challenges/Highlights: Ideal conditions; no disease or frost pressure

Harvest Window: Late September to mid-October

Reception & Scores: Celebrated as one of the best vintages of the decade

Aging Potential: 10–20 years for top Pinot Noirs

🇺🇸 Washington State (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 72–90°F (22–32°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Warm but not extreme; long, even ripening season

Challenges/Highlights: Low frost pressure; healthy, small berries

Harvest Window: Late September through October

Reception & Scores: Ripe, powerful, yet balanced wines

Aging Potential: 10–20 years for top reds

🇦🇺 Barossa Valley & Margaret River (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary (Barossa): Hot Mediterranean | 85–95°F (29–35°C) avg daytime highs

🌡️ Temperature Summary (Margaret River): Maritime | 70–84°F (21–29°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Cool start, then warm and dry throughout

Challenges/Highlights: Excellent vintage in both regions; low yields in Barossa

Harvest Window: February to April

Reception & Scores: Dense, age-worthy reds in Barossa; elegant Bordeaux blends in Margaret River

Aging Potential: Long-lived; especially for Shiraz and Cab blends

🇿🇦 South Africa (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 77–90°F (25–32°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Cool, dry conditions with good fruit set

Challenges/Highlights: Lower yields, but high concentration

Harvest Window: January to March

Reception & Scores: Excellent across the board, especially for reds

Aging Potential: Mid- to long-term for top cuvées

🇦🇷 Argentina - Mendoza (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary (Mendoza): Arid Continental | 80–92°F (27–33°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Warm, dry vintage with early frost in Mendoza

Challenges/Highlights: Lower yields, concentrated fruit

Harvest Window: February to April

Reception & Scores: Big, bold wines with good structure

Aging Potential: 10–15 years for top Malbecs

🇨🇱 Chile - Maipo Valley & Casablanca (2012)

🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean with coastal influence | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs

Weather Summary: Warm and dry across most regions

Challenges/Highlights: Consistent ripeness; some concern over water

Harvest Window: March to May

Reception & Scores: Ripe, full-bodied reds; balanced whites

Aging Potential: 5–10 years for most; longer for top Cabernet