AUCHROISK 2012 The Oaky

Nose : firm, powerful. The very hot (cayenne, pepper), mentholated and vanilla initial nose is also characterized by notes of oak and dark chocolate. Allowed to breathe, it reveals a number of stewed fruits (plum, pear, apple) and honeys (acacia, lime blossom). Next, spices gradually increase its powerful, concentrated character. It then becomes increasingly herbaceous (cut hay, alfalfa).

Palate : both lively and rich. The particularly vanilla attack is in turn punctuated by strong spices (nutmeg, clove, cinnamon). It even becomes medicinal (ointment, essential oils) on the mid-palate. With time, it develops more creamy (coconut, yoghurt) and deliciously apricot notes, reminiscent even of Vésuve de Gianni Capovilla.

Overall : long, rich. Pastry-like (coffee éclair), heady (iris butter), powdery (cocoa) and nobly woody (beeswax, wood filler), the finish has lots of presence. New fruits (date, walnut, sweet chestnut) also appear. The retronasal olfaction is spicy (cardamom, star anise). Green walnut, green wood, liquorice and aquatic plants (bulrush, reed) surge from the empty glass.