2012 Red Wine Bel Canto

"Two thousand thirteen was surprisingly nice for a hot year," said Ben Smith in July. "The vineyards were in great shape, and hanging more fruit than normal: about 2.8 tons vs. 2.0. The year was hotter than 2012 (3,100 total heat units vs. 2,874 in '12) but the wines have more energy than I expected. Smith picked at 24.5 to 25 degrees Brix, noting adding that he had finished harvesting before "the big cool-down. I'm looking to achieve a finer 2011-like structure in the hotter vintages." He also told me that he has cut back on extraction in 2013 and 2014--"plus I'm getting older." Smith described 2012 as "a wonderfully silky, classic Washington vintage with statistically average heat units."