2012 Quarts-de-Chaume AOC, Loire, France

Firm, slightly reductive, vegetal and a hint of bacon, with aromas of candied and dried yellow fruit, dried floral notes, herbs and mineral notes. Ripe, juicy, again partly dried and candied fruit with candied-nutty aromas, honey, some pepper and yellow spices, very elegant acidity, persistent and dense on the palate, good depth, orange zest in the background, delicate tobacco notes and caramel, prominent mineral notes A hint of smoke and flint, a touch of ripe tannins, still very young, complex, long, sweet and spicy finish with a touch. Must still mature.

Best to drink: 2019-2050+. What our ratings mean