It is a massive truism, but really, every vintage is different. Vintage 2012 was condensed into about 8 weeks from go to whoa which meant we had finished crushing all grapes by the end of March. Generally this feat would only be accomplished by the middle to end of April. Yields across all varieties were considerably down on average (from 15-40% in some varieties), but quality is looking very promising for both reds and whites. We had cool conditions up until the end of February then some rain, which did not affect things too much Joch’s prediction that 2012 will be a great red wine year is definitely holding up.

If we were making this wine in the 1980’s we would have called it ‘Barrel Reserve’ or ‘Bosworth Family Reserve’ because that’s exactly what this wine is. When Joch and Nairn taste through the barrels of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon to put together the Battle of Bosworth Shiraz and Battle of Bosworth Cabernet, they always come across barrels of both varieties which they really, really like. Instead of putting them forward for blending and bottling, they tuck them away for another few months for the Best of Vintage. All 3 varieties are made according to the standard operating red wine procedure here at Bosworth, that is they were individually fermented in open vessels and then finished off ferment in barrel. The Petit Verdot was slightly different in that it spent a further period of time on skins. It is the extra time in oak that came into play here with this wine, from those special barrels. 

• eRobertpParker.com Lisa Perrotti-Brown

  A Shiraz,Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot blend, the deep garnet- purple 2012 Battle of Bosworth Best of Vintage opens with a creme de cassis, blackberry pie and baked plum nose with licorice, cedar, earth and violet suggestions. Big, rich and full-bodied, this well-structured wine has tons of fruit and a long finish

  92+

• Halliday's Wine Companion 2016

  A certified organic 69/25/6% blend of shiraz, cabernet and petit verdot. Despite its complexity of flavour, texture and structure, it has a calm and unhurried nature, content to let it catch you before you know it, but then not relaxing its hold on you.

  95 points

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