Aus einem trockenen Winter wurde ein nasser Frühling mit über zehn Zentimetern Regen im März, der die Böden der Weinberge bis zum Rand füllte. Was folgte, war eine "ideale" Wachstumsperiode mit gleichmäßigem Knospenaufbruch, schönem Wetter zur Blütezeit und einem Fruchtansatz, der eine reiche Ernte hervorbrachte. Die vollreifen Trauben im gesamten Eisele-Weinberg waren Mitte Juli reif, und die Geschmacksintensität entwickelte sich im Laufe des Sommers stetig weiter. Warme Tage und kühle Nächte während der gesamten Vegetationsperiode führten zu täglichen Temperaturschwankungen von bis zu 50 Grad, die eine harmonische Reifung der Tannine ermöglichten, während der Zuckergehalt in einem kühleren September als im Durchschnitt langsam anstieg. Die Weinlese der Bordeaux-Rebsorten begann am 22. September, und drei Tage mit mäßiger Hitze Anfang Oktober bereiteten den Boden für die letzte Ernte des Cabernet Sauvignon am 16. September. Alle Trauben wurden von Hand gepflückt in den kühlen Morgenstunden von Hand gepflückt, was zu einem der besten Ausdrücke des Terroirs des Eisele Vineyard Terroirs führte. 2012 wird als ein außergewöhnlicher Jahrgang in Erinnerung bleiben.
Die Trauben wurden von California Certified Organic Farmers als "biologisch" und von Demeter als "biodynamisch" zertifiziert.

Auszeichnungen:

97 WINE ADVOCATE:
"The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is a relatively powerful statement from the new owners. Dense ruby/purple in color, with an exceptional nose of crème de cassis, a touch of mulberry and spice. The oak is completely obscured by the lavish, concentrated, ripe fruit and multi-dimensional mid-palate that expands beautifully, but with no sense of heaviness. The wine is rich and full-bodied, but with velvety tannin and stunning purple and black fruits. This is a beauty, with savoriness that’s hard to articulate. The finish goes on for a good 45+ seconds. This is a beauty that’s velvety, opulent and capable of drinking well now or in 25 to 30+ years."

97 JAMES SUCKLING:
"The blackberries and spices on the nose, together with currants, earth and light chocolate, are extremely appealing, while the palate delivers a full, rich core of fruit and silky tannins. Excellent length. It’s just starting to open now. Drink or hold."

97 WINE CELLAR INSIDE:
"A stunner in every sense. The wine is almost opaque in color, with its deep purple hues. The licorice, smoke, blackberry, blue fruit, vanilla bean and liqueur scents are in full force. Powerful, yet graceful, full bodied, but fresh, the wine stains your palate, and feels great as it coats your mouth with its opulent, very ripe, sweet layers of fruit. Yes, it's young, and frankly it is already delicious! This bottle was popped and poured. No decanting necessary."

18 JANCIS ROBINSON:
"More shy on both aromatics and palate than the Altagracia wines or the 2013 Eisele. Red fruit and spiced notes with very fine, beautiful tannin. Lovely sapidity and balancing acidity with a wash of spice all the way through a long finish. A sweet core of fruit flavour reflects the generosity of the vintage. The impressive structure of the site still shows here but the fruit dominates it slightly. There is more interest in oak, and less apparent freshness here in the 2012 than in the 2013, though this is still a nicely honed wine, reflecting not just the vintage contrast but also the shift in winemaking. The baby fat of 2012 will likely fall away with a bit of age."

94 WINE SPECTATOR:
"The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is a relatively powerful statement from the new owners. Dense ruby/purple in color, with an exceptional nose of crème de cassis, a touch of mulberry and spice. The oak is completely obscured by the lavish, concentrated, ripe fruit and multi-dimensional mid-palate that expands beautifully, but with no sense of heaviness. The wine is rich and full-bodied, but with velvety tannin and stunning purple and black fruits. This is a beauty, with savoriness that’s hard to articulate. The finish goes on for a good 45+ seconds. This is a beauty that’s velvety, opulent and capable of drinking well now or in 25 to 30+ years."

92 DECANTER:
"In 2012, François Pinault's team didn't vinify the wine but they did determine the blend, selecting wine from the estate's most interesting soils as opposed to its most immediately appealing barrels. A bouquet of cassis, black raspberry, scorched earth and creamy new oak is followed by a plush, open-knit and juicy palate. In contrast to the 2013, the 2012's barrel programme is more obvious, representing the last vintage in the old style rather than the first in the new. Drinking Window 2017 - 2030"