California 2012 ‘perfect’, but how?

Most California winemakers are far too busy tending their bubbling tanks and barrels to hold press conferences at this time of year, but trust me when I say those press conferences are going to come at some point, replete with the kinds of superlatives that only the most triumphant of vintages can elicit.

Simply put, 2012 will be one of the best vintages California has seen for decades. It certainly represents one of the first vintages in a long time that requires neither circumspection from those who think they could have made better wine had conditions been better, nor cautious...