2012 M. Chapoutier, Hermitage, Chante-Alouette

Fresh impression on the nose, with spicy nutmeg and tobacco notes. Full, rich, round and generous on the palate, comfortably in a mature phase, with succulent apricot, mango and honey flavours long into the finish. Great length. A lovely vintage of Chante-Alouette that's drinking well and will for many years to come. Alcohol gently warms the finish, and the toasty oak is spicy and works well with the fruit. Sunny and delightful.

A wine reviewed last year, the 2012 Hermitage Chante Alouette comes from three separate parcels on Hermitage Hill; Meal, Les Murets and Chante Alouette. I rated it identically this go around, but it's such a fabulous wine I decided to include it again. White peach, white flowers, honeysuckle, brioche and tropical notes all emerge from this stunning white, and while it's not cheap, it represents a smoking value. Don't miss it.

Salted butter, chamomile, lemon rind and white peach notes course along, inlaid with honeysuckle and verbena notes. The long, mineral-driven finish harnesses everything, letting bitter citrus and almond accents linger. Drink now through 2022.

Vivid gold. Aromas of ripe peach, melon and honey are lifted by zesty mineral and lemon pith notes. Fleshy, broad and dry, offering intense orchard and pit fruit flavors complicated by suggestions of iodine and smoky minerals. A floral note appears on the very long, sappy finish, which also features a sneaky note of bitter orange pith. - Josh Raynolds (vinous.com)