Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. The 2012 Chateau Filhot has a simple, rather Germanic scented bouquet (think of a ten-year-old Auslese from a half-decent producer.) The palate is actually better than the nose: viscous in texture with honeyed citrus fruit and tangy orange peel, satisfactory length and precision right to the end. Not a bad Sauternes and certainly an accomplishment in what was a very difficult vintage, even if I would not leave it long-term.

There is a very Germanic character to the nose of the 2012 Filhot and there appears to be little botytized fruit this year. The palate is actually better than the nose and is fresh and balanced, although it seems quite thin and lacks substance towards the finish.