France — wine

Coteaux du Layon

Coteaux du Layon produces some of France's greatest sweet wines from Chenin Blanc, benefiting from botrytis cinerea (noble rot) concentration in the Layon Valley. Honey, quince, saffron, and beeswax notes develop extraordinary complexity with age, with top wines lasting decades.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Good botrytis development; concentrated and balanced with excellent residual sugar levels
2022 Outstanding noble rot year; exceptional concentration and honeyed complexity
2021 Modest botrytis; lighter style with more freshness than concentration but good typicity
2020 Benchmark Layon vintage; extraordinary botrytis concentration and remarkable balance
2019 Classic vintage with excellent Chenin character; honey, quince, and saffron in fine balance