Domaine des Deux Moulins, Coteaux De L'aubance, 2022

A top class dessert wine that simply exudes ripe apples. The Chenin Blanc grape can make wines from dry to sweet and this is termed Moelleux or mellow in English. Not super sweet but at the sweeter end of the white wine spectrum and for this cuvée the Chenin Blanc grapes were affected by Botrytis Cinerea or Noble Rot which intensifies the sugar and acidity within the grape and adds great complexity to the resultant wine. A delightful golden yellow with a ripe and expressive nose of white fruits, more particularly apples and quince with hints of citrus. On the palate it is unctuous with the same notes as the nose. The fresh acidity makes the wine really vivacious in the aftertaste which is of exotic fruits and as well as going so well with desserts like apple tart, it's really wonderful with pates and terrines (Foie Gras is superb if it doesn't offend" blue cheeses, chicken in a reduction sauce or Tarte Tatin.

Although this wine is perfect for drinking now when you can enjoy the bright fresh fruit and lively acidity, it could be cellared for a couple of decades and this will reward you with incredible richness and honeyed notes.

This is a wine that captures the very essence of grapes. You could drink this throughout a meal despite the sweetness with wines of different ages adding their own unique hallmark. But if you don't have a cellar full of different vintages, don't worry, just enjoy the freshness of a young vintage.

• ❖ ABV: 13.5%