CHATEAU DOISY-DAENE Bordeaux Blanc AOC by Denis Dubourdieu Grand Vin Sec 2024 Bottle

Description

The 2024 growing season in Bordeaux was warm with timely rain, producing ripe aromatic grapes with good natural acidity. This Bordeaux Blanc from Château Doisy Daëne under Denis Dubourdieu is typically a blend of Sauvignon Blanc with a proportion of Sémillon, assembled to favour aromatic precision and a polished texture. Fermentation is mainly in stainless steel to preserve primary fruit, with a portion possibly fermented or aged in neutral oak or large oak foudre to add subtle weight without overt oakiness. A light lees stirring regime may contribute extra mid palate breadth and a rounded mouthfeel.

The wine pours a pale straw colour with bright green highlights. The nose is immediate and lively with grapefruit, lime zest and green apple, layered with nettle, freshly cut grass and elderflower. A faint flinty mineral note and a touch of honeysuckle add complexity while the Sémillon element brings a whisper of white peach and waxy richness that tempers the citrus brightness.

On the palate the 2024 is energetic and focused. Crisp citrus drives the front palate while ripe stone fruit and a creamy Sémillon mid palate round out the mouthfeel. Texture is sleek rather than heavy and acidity is bright, providing lift and clarity. A saline mineral thread and a light bitter pith character appear towards the finish and leave a clean lingering impression of lemon peel, green apple and white blossom. The overall balance is precise and approachable with a pleasing sense of tension between freshness and texture.

Suggested drinking window 2024 to 2028. Serve well chilled in a white wine glass. This is an excellent aperitif and pairs superbly with shellfish, oysters, crab, fresh goat cheese, and citrus dressed salads. In short, a vibrant, well balanced Bordeaux Blanc that combines varietal clarity with a refined, satisfying texture and enough complexity to reward several glasses.

VINOUS 90-92 points
Drinking window: 2026 - 2036
The 2024 Grand Vin Sec has a pretty nose, with finely delineated apple blossom, dewy meadow and light white peachy scents emerging with time. The palate is well balanced, with a bright entry that mixes orange rind, nectarine and sour lemon notes, leading to a cohesive and persistent finish. It is very fine and revitalizing. - Neal Martin. Tasting date: April 2025

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ABOUT CHATEAU DOISY-DAENE
Château Doisy Daëne is a celebrated Barsac estate in the Sauternes area known for producing luminous, botrytised sweet wines that balance richness with bright acidity and mineral clarity. The vineyards lie on classic Graves gravels and sandy limestone pockets that favor the slow development of noble rot while preserving freshness. Vines are planted predominantly to Sémillon with smaller plantings of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, a mix that allows the estate to craft wines that combine honeyed stone fruit, apricot and quince with floral lift and citrus tension.

The property has been associated with the Lurton family for several decades and their stewardship has emphasized both respect for tradition and careful modernization in the cellar. Vineyard work is meticulous with multiple selective passes during harvest to pick only properly botrytised berries. Yields are tightly controlled and sorting is thorough so that concentration and purity are consistent from vintage to vintage. Fermentation is typically conducted in small vats and barrels at controlled temperatures to retain aromatic freshness, and ageing in French oak is used judiciously to add texture and subtle spice without overwhelming the varietal character.

Doisy Daëne produces several cuvées that range from immediately appealing to highly ageworthy. In youthful bottles the wines show bright apricot, honeycomb and orange peel with an underlying saline minerality. With extended cellaring they develop tertiary notes of toasted almond, caramel and saffron while retaining a racy backbone that keeps the palate lively. These wines pair beautifully with foie gras, fruit based desserts and aged cheeses.

In addition to their renowned sweet wines, Château Doisy Daëne also makes refined dry whites that showcase the estate terroir in a fresher style. These dry wines emphasize vibrant citrus, white flower and green apple aromatics with a precise mineral core and lively acidity. Barrel and lees work is applied with restraint to give mouthfeel and complexity without obscuring primary fruit. The dry whites are enjoyable young for their immediate vibrancy and also have the structure to develop subtle complexity with a few years in bottle. Overall Doisy Daëne offers a broad expression of Barsac and Sauternes character from sweet concentration to elegant dry whites.