Buying Wine

2012 “Birth Year” Case Wine Recommendations

This is my 4th annual “Birth Year” case blog post. This post can serve as a guide for readers who had children born in the year of 2012. My 2009 list , 2010 list and 2011 list were published around this time in the preceding years.

2012 was hit and miss around the globe. Stellar in Napa Valley and Walla Walla for instance but mediocre at best in Bordeaux.

Per previous year lists I attempted to find bottles from a diverse number of regions that have the capacity to age under appropriate cellar conditions for upwards of 20 years. I have kept the bottle price ceiling at $150. These wines should all be available at retail right now. Happy hunting!

1. 2012 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon – Region: Napa Valley, Score: 94 points from the Wine Advocate, Price: $110.

2. 2012 Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape – Region: Southern Rhone, Score: 93 points from the Wine Advocate, Price: $60.

3. 2012 Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie La Landonne – Region: Northern Rhone, Score: 96 points from the Wine Advocate, Price: $139.

4. 2012 Pontet Canet – Region: Bordeaux, Score: 94 points from the Wine Advocate, Price: $99.

5. 2012 Alain Voge Cornas – Region: Northern Rhone, Score: 95 points from the Wine Advocate, Price: $70

6. 2012 Joh Jos Prum Riesling Auslese Wehlener Sonnenuhr – Region: Mosel, Score: 92 points from the Wine Spectator, Price: $32.

7. 2012 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port – Region: Portugal, Score: 94 points from James Suckling, Price: $80.

8. 2012 Fattoria Le Pupille Saffredi – Region: Tuscany, Score: 98 points from James Suckling, Price: $80

9. 2012 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon – Region: Washington, Score: 97 points from the Wine Advocate, Price: $150.

10. 2012 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard – Region: Napa Valley, Score: 97 points from the Wine Advocate, Price: $120.

11. 2012 Donhoff Riesling Spatlese Niederhauser Hermannshohle – Region: Mosel, Score: 91 points from the Wine Spectator, Price: $55

12. 1. 2012 Vieux-Château-Certan – Region: Bordeaux, Score: 94 points from the Wine Advocate, Price: $150.

So there you have it. My take on a dozen wines from around the world that should all be exciting to try fifteen years from now. If diversity is not your thing then feel free to back up the truck on 2012 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Readily available wines like Montelena, Spottswoode, Pahlmeyer and Dunn should all age gloriously.

I’d love to hear from those of you that have put away wines from 2012 to pass on to children.

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4 thoughts on “2012 “Birth Year” Case Wine Recommendations

  1. Some of these wines are my absolute favorites regardless the vintage. For example, Rene Rostaing côte-rôtie, Dönnhoff spatlese, and Vieux Chateau Certan rarely disappoint the taster. Hope to see some of these wines from older vintages in “Pick My Next Bottle” at some point in the near future.

    1. Thanks Peter! I reserve the right to change my mind…but I think ’02 Napa Cabernet and ’05 Right Bank Bordeaux are next up on Pick My Next Bottle.

      1. Beautiful! 02 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon should provide for an interesting match-up against 05 Merlot/Cabernet Franc blends. Curious if 2002 Chateau Montelena Estate or 2005 Pavie Macquin are in the proposed line-up. Don’t tell me, I want to be surprised …

  2. I bought enough to open a bottle a year on my son’s birthday (Dec 2012) of Grammery’s Lower East cab until he turns 21 & we can share one together. Certainly not a high end option but with our resources seemed like a fun experiment for my wife & me to have a way to celebrate each year of parenthood. Have enjoyed it so far, will be curious to see if it manages

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