2012 SA reds... do we believe the hype?

[sjw_11]

Hey forumites
Just wondering if anyone has tried much in the way of 2012 reds yet (I know early days) ...possibly through private contacts or pre release tastings or has got good feedback from hands on producers?

I am sensing a lot of hype and so I am planning to buy fairly aggressively since by all reports this could be an iconic vintage ... but wondering if anyone has any views if that is really the case?

[Teisto]

I asked this of the people at Cellar Door at all 3 wineries I visited Torbreck, Rockford and Artisans on the weekend.

Torbreck was pretty emphatic that the 2010's would be longer lived and a bigger structure to them. They said the 2012's were more "pretty" and expressive.

The other 2 heaped praise on both vintages but never really committed to one over the other.

[Gary W]

They are terrific. Best vintage since 2004.

[Panda 9D]

They are terrific. Best vintage since 2004.

Agreed. I like them more than the 10s so far. To me the 12s seem a little brighter and lighter on their feet than the 10s.

[tpang]

Definitely. The 2012s have depth and complexity flavour wise, but also appear (to me) more elegant and approachable. A vintage to go long on. Just curious, are you buying purely based on hype? Why don't you try some first before buying? They're unlikely to increase in price or sell-out.

Surely producers wouldn't commit to one vintage over another (unless it's the 2011), since they'd want customers to not ignore the 2010s currently sitting on the shelves.

[sjw_11]

Just curious, are you buying purely based on hype? Why don't you try some first before buying? They're unlikely to increase in price or sell-out.

Slight problem of being in Singapore... may not get to try them first hand, and my normal ploy is to buy direct from wineries and have it sent to my cellar in Adelaide.

I mainly intend to buy from the same wineries I buy from anyway, its more that if the vintage is truly that good I will try and make sure I dont forget to buy their 2012s! Dont worry Im not planning a random buy up of all and sundry

(also a good vintage suggests longer cellaring and as I am not sure how long my cellar and I will be in separate countries, I am more interested in cellar worthy years rather than say the much debated 2011's which might present excellent drink now lighter styles, which wouldnt be much use to me!)

[via collins]

I have drunk the 2012 kool-aid, no doubt.

Whether it's Clare Valley rieslings, YV chardonnays, Barossa reds I have been over-buying in anticipation. A mixture of what i read, what i taste, and what i sense. Tim Adams, Wigan, Henschke, Torbreck, Teusner, the sensational Alex Head reds, I am just hoping for a couple of icy winters in 2019/2020 to really go nuts on these already delicious wines.

If 2012 does turn out to fall below expectation, i'll have the most average cellar in the street!

And if anyone cares to nominate a pinot from 2012 that they have faith in for the long term, i'd love to hear!

cheers,

[Gavin Trott]

I have drunk the 2012 kool-aid, no doubt.

Whether it's Clare Valley rieslings, YV chardonnays, Barossa reds I have been over-buying in anticipation. A mixture of what i read, what i taste, and what i sense. Tim Adams, Wigan, Henschke, Torbreck, Teusner, the sensational Alex Head reds, I am just hoping for a couple of icy winters in 2019/2020 to really go nuts on these already delicious wines.

If 2012 does turn out to fall below expectation, i'll have the most average cellar in the street!

And if anyone cares to nominate a pinot from 2012 that they have faith in for the long term, i'd love to hear!

cheers,

Ashton Hills Reserve Pinot Noir 2012

I have faith!

.

[via collins]

Cheers Gavin! I shall have a shot at that one.

[phillisc]

A big call, but 2012 may probably be the last I will buy...need to get into a few and probably need to spend money on other things.

If white label metala looks good, then this will be the house red and probably a massive buy
Plus after not wanting to buy any 2012 rieslings and now some 25 cases later...the reds should be scintillating

cheers
Craig.

[ticklenow1]

I trust the opinions of several winemakers whom I know and respect in the Barossa Valley and they all couldn't speak highly enough of 2012. One even said while the yields were down a little from 2012, 2013 will also be a vintage to remember. Well he claims it will be for his winery anyway.

I will be going as long as I can (cellar space is a problem) with 2012's as I am trying to dodge 2011 as much as possible. I don't drink a huge amount of Riesling but even I bought a couple of dozen 2012's.

I hope Gary Walsh is right about it being the best vintage since 2004. '04 was my favourite vintage of the 00's and much better than the overhyped 2002. Bodes well!

Cheers
Ian

[simon1980]

Yep, I have heard a lot of positivity across the board for 2012, similar comments to above. I'm personally excited about a good vintage and the current trends in winemaking. I'm very hopeful we will see less quality fruit turned into oak monsters...

Early releases i have tasted (Head, Ruggabellus) have been succulent, balanced genuinely exciting wines. Good news.

simon1980

[Gary W]

And if anyone cares to nominate a pinot from 2012 that they have faith in for the long term, i'd love to hear!

cheers,

Mayer Close Planted. Even I bought some...

[phillisc]

So consensus is no 2011s...not that I would disagree

[simon1980]

Oh, and on the Pinot front, the Mayer Close Planted is the one everyone is talking about. I have had a few Mayer Bloody Hill, and they have been sensational...not cracked a CP yet though... Good luck in finding some!

I have had a few Hurley's with age on them recently, and they have looked good. I asked about the '12's when I dropped in a few weeks ago, and the reaction was enthusiastic...

simon1980

[via collins]

Thanks for the Mayer Close Planted tips gents.

Like you Simon, I've devoured a few Bloody Hills over the years, very happy with them. Also look forward to the upgrade.

I think I've seen a few around my neck of the woods.

[sjw_11]

Thanks folks for all these thoughts on the 2012s... I will mark in the diary for 2022 to come back and let you know if you were right

[Thommo]

2012 Teusner Riebke is sensational...

as for SA rieslings, I prefer 2011 and 2013 over 2012. Much more complexity and delicacy.

[Chuck]

If 12 is better than 10 and 13 is not too shabby then bring it on. Just keep buying until the plastic melts! SWMBO is concerned we have too much wine. No such concept in my book. But seriously 10 wines have been exceptional. Which reminds me there are 2 cases still in the boot. Just have to slip them into the cellar without SWMBO noticing.

Carl

[porschemad911]

The only 2012 red I have tried is the Mojo shiraz by Rockbare, and it was great - a nice return to form.