Vintage Summary and Recommendations:
Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 2012 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 2012 vintage, our top recommendations and region reports. Scroll down to see all of our wines currently available. If you cannot find what you are looking for please call us on 01425 837177 or
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The 2012 vintage was hit-and-miss globally, with few regions delivering truly great wines but many good wines were still produced.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
Palmer Port 2012 Colheita Port Barros Port 2012 Quinta Da Galeira Vintage Port Barolo 2012 Massolino Riserva Vigna Rionda This Year in History: Fun Fact: Apple Inc became the largest company in the world, its value reached over $600 billion in 2012.
Eurovision Winner: Sweden with the song "Euphoria" by Loreen
Born in this Year: Isla Phillips, daughter of Peter and Autumn Phillips, sister of Savannah and second great grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II
Top Grossing Movie: The Avengers
Bordeaux: The 2012 wine vintage was a difficult one for Bordeaux, rewarding those winemakers who were attentive.Top estates made excellent wines, and overall better than 2011. The Medoc and Graves had a tough growing season, and a very late harvest. 2012 made a difficult growing season for the right bank, but Merlot generally fared better than the Cabernets; fine wines were produced in both Pomerol and St-Emilion.
Burgundy: An account of the 2012 growing season would suggest the vintage was catastrophic but, as so often happens in Burgundy, a fine September saved the day and ripened the grapes. Quantities produced are tiny, while quality is maddeningly inconsistent. There are tough, unappealing wines, and some magnificent ones. This makes it a difficult year to navigate as even within a single domaine there can be varying quality. The best wines, however, have good tannic structure and will age well.
Italian: Intense heat in Piedmont this year meant that the cooler vineyard sites may turn out to have produced the best wines, with some sunburn affecting the most exposed sites. The weather was also generally hot in Tuscany, with yields up to 30% below average thanks to uneven flowering caused by rain. A heatwave in August caused some vines to shut down, but nevertheless Chianti and Montalcino produced good quality.
Portugal: The 2012 port vintage was always going to be in the shadow of the outstanding 2011 vintage. An early drought led to a very small crop, but some excellent ports were produced. Quinta do Noval and Quinta do Vesuvio declared the vintage, whilst the bigger port shippers opted to make Single Quintas. Head Winemaker at Taylor Fladgate, David Guimaraens, noted: “A dry winter followed by a cool spring led to low yields but plenty of aromatic intensity. The cool ripening season was balanced by healthy growth, giving the resulting Ports crisp acidity and a remarkable purity of fruit.” These ports, whether Vintage or Single Quinta, would make a brilliant 13 year old wine gift for an anniversary this year.
Spain: This was a weird year of weather in Spain. It was the fifth consecutive small vintage, thanks in large part to very dry conditions; the resultant small berries harvested in Rioja made wines of great concentration and high tannin.
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21 products found.
Palmer Port, 2012
Colheita Port, Douro
75cl Bottle
A 75cl bottle of 2012 vintage Colheita Port Wine from Palmer Port.
This is exclusive to Vintage Wine & Port.
This rare Port Wine has been stored in seasoned oak casks since the 2012 harvest until it was bottling.
Tasting Notes: On the nose this 2012 Port from Palmer is rich and aromatic with notes of dried fruits (figs, dates, raisins), nuts (almonds, walnuts), and hints of caramel and spice. The palate is smooth and well-balanced with flavors mirroring the nose—expect an elegant mix of dried fruit, honey, toffee, and a touch of vanilla. It has a long and complex with a satisfying aftertaste, highlighting the wine's maturation in wood. …
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Price: $37.53 USD
Stock: 53 in Stock
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Burmester, 2012
Quinta do Arnozelo, Douro
Presented in Wooden Gift Box
***89 Points Wine Advocate***
A 2012 Vintage Port Wine from Burmester Port.
The vineyard of Quinta do Arnozelo is situated on the southern bank of the Douro river, between the small towns of São João da Pesqueira and Vila Nova de Foz Côa. This is in the prestigious upper reaches of the Douro demarcated wine region, the aptly named Douro Superior. In addition to its favourable geographic location, it has an ideal micro-climate, both of which contribute to the superior quality of its grapes and other produce. The vineyard has 200ha, comprised of vines, olive trees, orange trees and forest (which harbours a large variety of the region’s species). …
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Price: $62.59 USD
Stock: 29 in Stock
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Kopke, 2012
Quinta San Luiz Single Quinta Vintage Port, Douro
Presented in original Kopke Gift Box
Buy 6 or more and save 25%
We are delighted to exclusively offer the Kopke Sao Luiz Vintage Port from the very good 2012 vintage.
This is a wonderfully soft Port with a great aftertaste. A Port to enjoy!
The 2012 Quinta de Sao Luiz vintage port reveals flavours of black fruit, with notes of plum, raspberry and cherry, and a touch of chocolate truffles. This 2012 Kopke Quinta de São Luiz Vintage is perfect with chocolate desserts, like chocolate fondants with redcurrant sauce or black chocolate mousse. Blue or hard cheeses, “Serra da Estrela” type, are also an excellent combination.
Kopke is the oldest Port wine house. …
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Price: $81.39 USD
Stock: 202 in Stock
Buy 6 or more bottles and save 30%
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Messias, 2012
Messias Classico Branco 2012, Bairrada
White Wine
18 pts- Revista de Vinhos
This wine is typically crafted from indigenous grape varieties native to the Bairrada region, such as Bical, Maria Gomes (also known as Fernão Pires), and Arinto. These grapes contribute to the wine's distinctive flavour profile and aromatic characteristics. Unusually for a white wine, the age has added complexity to this wine reminiscing of great aged white Riojas.
Tasting Notes
Aroma with unique, incredible complexity, ripe yellow plum, honey, some fresh herbs, salty background with phosphorus nuances. Medium body, ample structure supported by good acidity, crispy periphery, lively, stirred wine, quite expressive presence in the mouth, some freshness that contradicts the expectation created from the aroma. …
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Price: $36.28 USD
Stock: 6 in Stock
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Amarone della Valpolicella, 2012
Spada - Riserva *** WITH ORIGINAL WOODEN CASE ***
This wine is made from grapes harvested in various vineyards located on hills in the Valpolicella zone (Mezzane and Tregnago hills). Different sources and different grape varieties are important to obtain well-balanced wines with the fine structure that only a few single areas in the Valpolicella zone can provide. Notes: Color: strong ruby red. Clear and transparent. Bouquet: notes of vanilla and ethereal airs depending on the period of aging in the barrel; notes of sweet fruits such as currants, blueberries, cherries depending on the varieties of grapes. Flavor: wine with a velvety, raisiny character combined with the structure and typical stylish bitterness to give it good balance. …
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Price: $124.06 USD
Stock: 14 in Stock
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Barbadillo
12- Year-Old Amontillado, Sherry, Jerez
Principe De Barbadillo
Half Bottle 37.5cl
This 12 year old Sherry has a beautiful amber colour. Clear and bright in appearance. It is intense and elegant on the nose; a tempting seductress. Saline nuances and a trace of toasted hazelnuts. Excellent balance and structure with a long finish. The typical dryness of amontillado sherry stands out and highlights its complexity. Lingering and satisfying aftertaste.
Serving Suggestion:
Enjoy at 12-13 Celsius degrees either with a traditional Amontillado pairing such as artichoke dishes or if you are adventurous try red tuna ceviche.
*91 Points - Robert Parker*
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Price: $26.25 USD
Stock: 3 in Stock
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Barbaresco, 2012
Giordano, Piedmont
Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Nieve and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. …
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Price: $61.40 USD
Stock: 12 in Stock
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Barolo, 2012
Massolino - Riserva - Vigna Rionda, Piedmont
*** 94 Points- Wine Advocate ***
Vigna Rionda is a unique Barolo, impossible to describe in just a few lines and hard to compare with others, even those from the Serralunga area. A wine capable of complexity, longevity and structure, which come together with unparalleled elegance. A little patience is required for it to reach its full potential, which is why it stays in our cellars until its sixth year, the only wine in our range to do so, when it is released as a Riserva.
We recommend decanting and serving at a temperature of 18-20°C.
The most prominent element in the history of our estate, Vigna Rionda is one of the most sought-after and prestigious crus in the area. …
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Price: $224.30 USD
Stock: 25 in Stock
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Barros Port, 2012
Quinta Da Galeira Vintage Port, Douro
Includes Barros gift box as illustrated
January Offer | Was £49.95 | Now £39.95 ***
We are delighted to exclusively offer the Barros 2012 Quinta Galeira Vintage Port. With 10 years of cellaring this represents incredible value.
The 2012 Barros Galeira Vintage port has a deep ruby colour with purple edges and aromas of ripe black fruits and fragrant notes. On the palate raspberry, cherry and blackberry flavours with a touch of spice. The finish has smooth tannins, nicely balanced with sweetness and has good length. Very nice.
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Price: $50.06 USD
Stock: 22 in Stock
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Biondi Santi, 2012
Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino
The outstanding 2012 Biondi Santi is a classic in the making. Known for its nose and intense age-worthiness, a Biondi-Santi Brunello's trademark aromatics and acidity are attributable to the vineyard's terroir.
A brilliant ruby with garnet glints with the estate’s classic hue. Violet petals, blood orange zest, pressed mint, sweet spices and crushed river rocks frame the pure, transparent red fruits in this aromatic and remarkably welcoming wine. Reflective of its warm growing season, this Brunello glides on the palate with a silky feel, driven by a lovely mineral core and trademark electric acidity; polished tannins cling to the cheeks as the wine builds to a mineral-laden, lingering finish. …
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Price: $494.97 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
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Calem Port, 2012
Vintage Port, Douro | Presented in Original Gift Box
*** 91 Points - Robert Parker- Wine Advocate ***
The Cálem 2012 Vintage Port Wine is noted as having aromas of “black fruit and hints of spice and cocoa” with a “robust and sweet” palate. It is a blend of 30% Touriga Naçional, 30% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Roriz and 10% Sousão.
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Price: $75.11 USD
Stock: 17 in Stock
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Chateau Batailley, 2012
Pauillac 5th Growth Classification, Bordeaux
SpeciaL offer | was £79.95 | Now £44.95
The 2012 Château Batailley is a wine from a well-known estate in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, classified as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 classification. Château Batailley is recognized for producing robust, structured wines with a strong emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon, offering excellent value within the Pauillac region.
The 2012 vintage in Bordeaux was somewhat challenging, marked by variable weather, with a cool and wet spring, followed by a warm summer. The result was an uneven ripening of the grapes, and the vintage as a whole is considered lighter compared to some more powerful years like 2009 or 2010. …
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Price: $56.33 USD
Stock: 6 in Stock
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Chateau Caronne St Gemme, 2012
Haut Medoc, Cru Borgeois, Bordeaux
Double magnum 300cl
The 2011 Caronne is a very impressive rustic style classic claret. it boasts a moderate peppery nose. Very tannic with spicy black fruits. Impressive on the palate with well-balanced with raspberry and a touch of black pepper and burnt toast. Good density with a simple, corpulent finish. An easy drinking high quality wine.
Château Caronne Ste Gemme is a notable wine estate in the Haut-Médoc appellation of Bordeaux, France. Covering about 45 hectares, the vineyard thrives on gravelly soils that are ideal for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. This family-owned estate, …
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Price: $275.68 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
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Chianti, 2012
La Pieve - MAGNUM 1,5 Litre, Tuscany
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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Price: $124.06 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
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Graham's Port, 2012
Quinta dos Malvedos, Vintage Port, Douro
Deep, dark red colour with just a hint of fading along the edge. Gorgeous black cherry and plum aromas, with a wonderful fresh fruit fragrance and distinct notes of eucalyptus and hints of mint and liquorice. Luscious and opulent flavours coat the palate with full, rich blackberry fruit, intense and compact. A supple, muscular wine very pleasurable to drink now but with ample further ageing potential. Symington tasting room.
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Price: $45.05 USD
Stock: 5 in Stock
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Graham's Port, 2012
Malvedos, Douro
JEROBOAM 3 ltr Bottle
Limited edition 1 of 60 produced
This 2012 Vintage Port Wine from Graham's is a very rare 3 ltr bottle of the limited 60 bottles made!
A lovely complex nose with excellent sweet and rich fruit aromas such as black cherry, black currant and blackberry. On the palate it is packed with solid, structured, rich and intense black fruit flavours and an admirably long finish.
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Price: $419.78 USD
Stock: 4 in Stock
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Hooper's Port, 2012
Colheita Port
The 2012 Hooper's Colheita Port is a single-vintage tawny port from Portugal's Douro Valley. "Colheita" refers to a tawny port made from grapes harvested in a specific year and aged in wooden casks for a minimum of seven years before bottling.
Tasting Notes: This port offers a rich and aromatic profile with notes of dried fruits such as figs, dates, and raisins, complemented by hints of almonds, walnuts, caramel, and spice. The palate is smooth and well-balanced, featuring flavors of dried fruit, honey, toffee, and a touch of vanilla, leading to a long and complex finish that highlights the wine's maturation in wood. …
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Price: $36.28 USD
Stock: 22 in Stock
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Quinta do Noval, 2012
Vintage Port, Douro
A 2012 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port Wine. Throughout the upper Douro, a wet spring and summer drought conditions that year reduced grape production overall. However, the mild temperatures through the year enabled the vines to reach excellent maturity. It was decided that the harvest would start one week later than normal at Noval. This was a huge success with the grapes that were picked small but perfectly formed, with outstanding flavour and freshness in the musts.
The result is a Vintage Port which, according to wine-making director Antonio Agrellos: “is a classic example of the Quinta do Noval style and a worthy addition to the recent Quinta do Noval declarations such as 2011, 2008 and 2007”. …
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Price: $124.06 USD
Stock: 33 in Stock
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Vietti Barolo, 2012
Vietti - Riserva Villero, Piedmont
*** 97 Points- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate ***
RP 97/100
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is the 13th edition that Vietti has come out with, over the span of 38 years, of this stunning Riserva, a wine that ultimately is produced only about once every four years or so. It was not made after the previous harvest, in 2011. The recent editions have been nothing short of spectacular, earning 100-point scores in both 2007 and 2009 and 99 points in its latest appearance, 2010. It's a series that has set the bar extraordinarily high, and this 2012 Barolo Riserva Villero is a little less exciting in comparison. However, the wine holds its own as one of the most beautiful in the entire appellation and one of the best in the somewhat lackluster vintage. …
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Price: $462.39 USD
Stock: 8 in Stock
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Klein Constantia, 2012
Vin De Constance - Klein Constantia, South Africa
Natural Sweet White Wine
Includes gift box as shown.
Vin de Constance today is one of the world's greatest sweet wines.
First produced over 300 years ago as 'Constantia', Kings vied for possession of this wine; Louis Philippe sent emissaries from France to fetch it; Napoleon drank it on the island of St Helena to find solace in his lonely exile; Frederick the Great and Bismarck ordered it; Charles Dickens' character Edwin Drood found support in it and Jane Austen recommended Constantia for its "healing powers on a disappointed heart".
Golden and bright in colour with aromas of marmalade and nutmeg on the nose. The palate is fresh and creamy with a rich sweetness that is complimented by good acidity, bringing the wine into perfect balance and ending with a lengthy and vibrant finish. …
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Price: $91.41 USD
Stock: Out of Stock
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