Top Wines of 2012: Behind the Enthusiast 100

WINEENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE presents: THE ENTHUSIAST IDOW 2 . 0 •1• 2 Out of 15,500 wines, only 100 can be the best. Read on to learn more about the Top 100 Wines of 2012. RATING DISTRIBUTION Classic | 98-100 The pinnacle of quality Superb | 94-97 Highly recommended Excellent | 90-93 27 19 Well recommended 18 12 8. 6. 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 Average Rating TYPES OF WINE white (29) red (39) (2) white blend sparkling wine rosé (2) (3) champagne red blend (16) (1) (1) (1) COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN France Portugal (5) (19) Germany (2) Austria (3) Italy (17) Spain (8) Chile (2) South Africa (5) Australia (3) USA New (30) Zealand Argentina (3) (3) PRICING Quality-to-price ratio as well as drinkability, availability and uniqueness are just a few considerations for the list... splurge $208 average budget $16 $49 WINE OF THE YEAR 96, This wine takes you on a trip to an outer wine world where deep, cushioned berry aromas come POINTS RIGLOS with exotic perfumes, bath oils and crushed flower petals. It's ultra-saturated and jammy, but not clunky or heavy. This tastes like a storm of blackberry, espresso and Swiss chocolate, while black spices and length bring up the rear. A blend of 50% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cab Franc; drink now-2017. GRAN CORTE 2009 MENDOZA Riglos 2009 Gran Corte Las Divas Vineyard Bordeaux-style Red Blend (Tupungato) $50 2012 TOP SELECTIONS No. 1 Best Buy No. 1 Cellar Selection 06, VEGA 98, POINTS Denominacio de Origem Contrlada DOURO GUADO AL TASSO BOLGHERI SUPERIORE Portugal 2009 ANTINORI DFJ Vinhos 2009 Marchesi Antinori 2008 Vega Red (Douro) $9 Guado al Tasso Red (Bolgheri Superiore) $102 PAST WINES OF THE YEAR Marchesi de' Frescobaldi 2007 Nipozzano Riserva (Chiani Rufina) 93 points; $22 Renato Ratti 2006 Marcenasco 2010 (Barolo) 2011 94 points; $50 2007 2009 Viñedos de Paganos 2004 El Puntido (Rioja) 96 points; $57 Cambria 2006 Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 (Santa Maria Valley) 93 points; $21 Failla 2006 Phoenix Ranch Syrah (Napa Valley) 95 points; $42 WINE RESOURCES View all of this year's selections and more wine ratings and reviews in the Buying Guide http://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2012 Follow us @WineEnthusiast Share this infographic with the hashtag #WETOP2012 sherry G dessert wine