2020 Lafaurie Peyraguey

88% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc. 12 months in barrel (one-third new) then 6 months in tank. Mid gold. As well as the rich honeyed pineapple aromas, there's a hint of green fruits on the nose, like greengage, green but sweet. Spicy and golden too. On the palate, sweet but relatively simple though there's a light tannic friction that increases the freshness. Finishes like tarte Tatin. (JH)

The 2020 Lafaurie-Peyraguey has a pale gold color, prancing out of the glass with beguiling scents of candied citrus peel, pineapple upside-down cake, powdered ginger and honeycomb, over a core of dried apricots and apple pie, plus a waft of lime blossoms. The palate has impressive poise and grace, countering the sweet richness with a lively backbone and delivering loads of stone fruit and spiced apple flavors, finishing long and perfumed. Beautiful!

The 2020 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is one of the most exotic, alluring wines of the year. Tropical fruit, crème brûlée, apricot, tangerine preserves and white flowers are all beautifully lifted. Deep and layered, but not at all heavy, the 2020 impresses with its exquisite balance and totally seductive personality. It is the sort of wine that is hard to move on from in a tasting. Memorable.