Top 20 Wine of 2012
Style and substance serve as a hallmark for great wines, and the Total Wine & More team looks closely at thousands of these selections to find the best tastes and values for its Top 20. Explore these top choices, which represent flavor, innovation and excellence from around the globe. We’ve done the traveling and heavy lifting; it’s up to you to discover the fruits of our efforts at your nearest Total Wine & More.
Rock View Chardonnay Reserve Mendocino
California
If winemaker Rob Lloyd’s goal was to create art with Rock View Chardonnay Reserve, he succeeded. Its tropical fruit flavors lead to a well-balanced, buttery finish that surpasses all expectations. This California dream is an experience of the most succulent pineapple, mango and melon notes, balanced in a medium-bodied cradle of vanilla and butter. Elegant, to say the least, its versatility makes it a standout. Sample it alone or alongside light appetizers for a good introduction. But don’t deny yourself the pleasure of enjoyment by pairing with a variety of seafood, poultry, or pasta dishes that are sure to bring the richness to the forefront. It’s tough to top this combination of flavor and tremendous value.
Elegant, Pineapple, Vanilla, Medium-bodied
Pierre Henri Morel Cotes du Rhone Villages Signargues
France
| 90 | Wine Spectator |
Clay and limestone set the tone in this balanced red from the Southern Rhône. It’s an all-occasion bouquet of black fruit that leads to licorice notes and a spicy finale.
Raspberry, Cherry, Spice, Medium-bodied
Kudos Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley
Oregon
This Willamette Valley gem deserves a hearty thumbs up. Black cherry and raspberry combine with spice and roses for an elegant and intense Oregon Pinot that lives up to its name.
Elegant, Cherry, Spicy, Medium-bodied
Chateau Garraud Pomerol, 2009
France
| 93 | Wine Spectator |
Taste nuances and integration of ripe, black fruit and well balanced oak aromas in this highly rated Bordeaux. It’s just the right combination of elegance and value.
Elegant, Blackberry, Plum, Full-bodied
Maipe Malbec Reserve 2010
Argentina
| 90 | Wine Advocate |
Italian Alberto Antonini gives magic to this Argentine treat, with berry-forward fruit, character-building oak and velvet mouth-feel. It’s a reserve with no reservations.
Elegant, Plum, Spices, Full Bodied
Mt Monster Cabernet
Australia
| 90 | Wine Spectator |
Quality comes alive with blackberry, mint and cassis in this creation from Australia’s Limestone Coast. Its flavors sit atop rich texture and a velvety finish.
Fresh, Blackberry, Mint, Medium-bodied
Ares Rioja Crianza
Spain
| 90 | Wine Advocate |
Feel the power of Rioja through blackberry, spice and a voluminous structure. Fruit-forward flavor leaves room for incense and leather in a bottle of balanced intensity.
Complex, Blackberry, Spice, Full-bodied
Tesoro della Regina Prosecco
Italy
| 90 | Wine & Spirits |
Dry, Apple, Pear, Medium-bodied
Radius Red Blend
Washington
Find your center with this Washington food friend Red Blend. Black Cherry, Plum, soft tannins confer a lengthy finish. This wine is a great value and is paired perfectly with a multitude of meat, pasta and vegetarian dishes.
Juicy, Black Cherry, Plum, Medium-bodied
Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Signature, 2009
California
| 90 | Wine Spectator |
Harmony establishes a benchmark with blackberry, cassis and vanilla in this Bordeaux-influenced pacesetter. Oak-imparted chocolate and cedar turn experience to indulgence.
Intense, Cassis, Chocolate, Cedar, Full-Bodied
#10 not available in GA, TX
OFV Pinot Gris Willamette
Oregon
Food-friendly to the core, this dry Oregon delight is the epitome of “fresh,” with lime, pear and herbs. Fish, chicken and spicy fare won’t be lonely with this treat.
Crisp, Pear, Citrus, Light-bodied
Olema Cabernet
California
Feel the love of quality from Joel Aiken at Amici Cellars. Balanced, soft and full-bodied, its black fruit, toffee and mocha fit the bill for roast and grilled meats.
Intense, Blackberry, Cherry, Full-bodied
#12 not available in TX, WA
Take in the Washington scenery of blackberry, cherry, vanilla and spice as you come across Bridgman. It’s a rich, elegant value that opens up for full-flavored foods.
Intense, Blackberry, Pepper, Spice, Full-bodied
Chateau Lamothe-Cissac Haut-Medoc
France
| 90 | Wine Enthusiast |
Experience the long finish from this Left Bank Bordeaux blend of plum, blackcurrant and cherry. Enjoy it as a pleasure today or treasure it for five years—or more.
Elegant, Black Currant, Medium-bodied
Dominican Oaks Chardonnay Unoaked
California
Green apple, pear, apricot and lemon compose a veritable fruit bowl that rests on a mantle of refreshment. California crisp, it’s a great match for fish and poultry.
Crisp, Apple, Pear, Medium-bodied
Vasco Sassetti Brunello Montalcino 2005
Italy
| 91 | Wine Spectator |
A Tuscan powerhouse, this Brunello serves up depth and earthiness. It’s a rich bouquet of cherry and spice that delivers complex sophistication.
Concentrated, Wild Cherry, Herb, Full-bodied
Courtney Benham Sauvignon Blanc
California
Touches of peach and pear soften green apple flavors providing medium-bodied complexity to this Napa white. It's great for solo refreshment or alongside seafood.
Elegant, Green Apple, Peach, Medium-bodied
JV Fleury Chateauneuf Du Pape
France
| 90 | Wine Advocate |
If you’re game, you’ll love this excellent Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It’s a Rhône collection of spice and fresh fruit built on three centuries of flavor and excellence.
Truett Hurst Zinfandel Three Vineyards Dry Creek
California
| 90 | Beverage Dynamics |
Soft, ripe raspberry meets spicy black and white pepper in the heart of Dry Creek Valley for this classic Zinfandel. This Old Vine Zinfandel goes great with hearty dishes.
Intense, Raspberry, Pepper, Full-bodied
Dr Heidemanns Riesling QbA
Germany
Harmony defines this renowned Riesling where a crisp and clean profile reflect the pedigree of the grape. The taste solidifies it as one of Germany’s best.
Off-Dry, Apple, Peach, Medium-bodied
Come taste these wines in-store!
See our Weekly Tastings in the Event Calendar for our tasting of the Top 20 of 2012, running the weekends of September 13-16 and September 27-30..
