British Columbia

2012 Bordeaux wines have highlights, but be selective

Uneven weather made 2012 an uneven vintage for Bordeaux wines. On The Coast wine master Barbara Philip has some highlights, however.

2012 vintage hits the shelves on October 3

2012 was a crazy year weather-wise, and that gave 2012's Bordeaux wines an uneven quality. (Getty Images/Purestock)

When it comes to wine events throughout the year, perhaps the most-anticipated is the annual Bordeaux release.

Lineups are commonplace as people jockey to grab cases of wine when it is finally released on October 3.

This year, the 2012 vintage hits the shelves, and On The Coast master of wine Barbara Philip has had an early sampling.

"It's a good vintage, but it's one where you have to be selective," she told Stephen Quinn.

She says that year had some wildly varying weather, and that made some wines better than others.

"The cabernet-sauvignon based wines are a little bit greener, a little bit leaner than previous vintages, the merlots are very good, and the whites tend to be very crisp and nice," she said.

Philip brought her picks for the best of 2012.

Clos des Lunes-Lune d'Argent Blanc. Bordeaux. 2012.$35.00

"Creme brule, lime flower, really fresh and nice and meant to drink right now."

Château Haut Bergey. Pessac Léognan. Bordeaux. 2012. $50.00

"This wine is very mineral-y, it's not full-bodied, it's medium-bodied. Silky tannins, really nice."

Château Marquis d'Alesme-Becker. Margaux. Bordeaux. 2012. $65.00

"This wine really surprised me because Margaux was really uneven in 2012. Château Marquis d'Alesme-Becker? Very nice wine for $65. This is something you could easily put in the cellar for five to eight years."

Château La Dominique. St. Émilion. Bordeaux. 2012. $68.00

"It has a nice plushness, there's a little plumminess to it, some toffee flavour. This is a gorgeous wine that will also improve in three to five years."

Château Langlais. Puisseguin-St. Émilion. Bordeaux. 2000. $35.99

"Absolutely ready to drink now. What have you got to lose?"


To hear the full story, click the audio labelled: Looking to pick up some 2012 Bordeaux wines? Be selective