Chateau Bouscasse 2020 Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Sec 'Les Jardins Philosophiques'

"A full yellow with faint green highlights. Immediately arresting nose with yellow continental and tropical fruits abounding: pineapple, star fruit, ripe pear and quince. There is a whiff of the exotic, flirting around the olfactory edge: saffron, frangipane flower, kampot pepper, and ripe mango.

The palate is well textured: creamy yet with fine phenolics and acidity, full but airy in texture and never feeling more than medium bodied; finishing fresh. There is an interplay between cheek pinching acidity and the creamy texture that is so charming I find myself smiling as I note it here. The flavours here are those of simple pleasures: very ripe peach and pear dominate, including that slightly dangerous near almond essence note that ripe pear develops (pear drops?); then spices including saffron again, cinnamon and its accompanying bitterness; before faint quinine presents itself with hints of pineapple and mango on second fiddle. The finish has a welcome bitter note akin to mango skins and lemon pith. Fine; and more importantly very drinkable." — David