Bordeaux 2012 Best Bets

The pundits have declared the 2012 vintage "Good, not great" and they may be right. There were no perfect scores to be found from any of the famous Bordeaux reviewers and anything short of a perfect vintage was destined to be over-shadowed by the wake from the back-to-back juggernauts that were 2009 and 2010. 

However, there are still some great wines to be found in 2012, especially from Graves and studious collectors will know that even the so-so wines of the new vintage will outshine the best of anything coming from the forthcoming 2013 vintage, so you better stock up on 2012's now, cuz you won't be buying anything next year!

Below are our recommendations, based on our own research, on what we consider the 'Best Bets' from the vintage taking into account price, metacritic scores and longevity potential.

Our picks for 2012:

• Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, St-Émilion  $99
• Château Belgrave, Haut-Médoc  $50
• Château Clerc Milon, Pauillac  $88
• Clos de l’Oratoire, St-Émilion  $69
• Clos du Marquis, St-Julien $88
• Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac-Léognan  $90 
• Château La Dominique, St-Émilion  $68
• Château Fleur Cardinale, St-Émilion  $69
• Château La Garde, Pessac-Léognan  $38
• Château Gazin, Pomerol  $118
• Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan  $138
• Château d’Issan, Margaux  $85
• Château Larcis Ducasse, St-Émilion  $95
• Château Pape Clément, Pessac-Léognan  $160
• Château Rahoul, Graves  $28
• Château Rauzan Ségla, Margaux  $99
• Château Carbonnieux Blanc, Pessac-Léognan  $58
• Château Climens, Sauternes  $58 (375 ml)

Please note: The prices above relate to the release price via the BCLDB. The 2012 Bordeaux release is on Saturday, October 3rd. Go to their website for more information:
http://www.bcliquorstores.com/promotion/bordeaux-vintage-2012-release