2023 Château Doisy-Vedrines

Château Doisy-Védrines

Château Doisy-Védrines is a centuries-old winery in Barsac, part of the Sauternes-Barsac appellation. The château is one of the most consistent producers of fine sweet wines in Bordeaux. The vineyards lie on limestone subsoil with a thin layer of sand, which gives the wines their distinctive freshness, finesse, and light, almost ethereal tension. The estate is known for wines that are more elegant than powerful, with a beautiful balance of sweetness, acidity, and aromatic refinement. Due to its location near the Ciron, the château benefits from the morning mist necessary for the development of botrytis, giving the grapes a raisined concentration and complexity.

The style of Barsac and the grapes in Doisy-Védrines

Barsac distinguishes itself with wines that have a lighter, fresher structure than many Sauternes wines. The chalky soils provide tension, purity, and an elegant minerality. The blends consist primarily of Sémillon, supplemented with Sauvignon Blanc and sometimes a small portion of Muscadelle. Doisy-Védrines selects grapes with an optimal balance between botrytis influence, aromatic clarity, and sufficient fresh acidity. This makes their wines among the most refined and long-lasting in Barsac. The result is a style that is less heavy than some other Sauternes, yet precisely because of this liveliness, comes across as extra refined.

The 2023 Château Doisy-Védrines

The 2023 vintage produces a wine of remarkable subtlety and aromatic tension. According to the tasting notes, the wine opens slowly but beautifully, with notes of lemon sorbet, saffron, light mandarin, and delicate spice. The aromatic complexity clearly grows with air. This is not an exuberant or expansive Sauternes, but a Barsac that explicitly chooses precision and elegance. Jasmine, candied orange, chamomile, mint, and honeyed floral nuances form a layered aromatic whole. The wine bears all the hallmarks of a noble Barsac with great finesse.

Vinification and style characteristics of the vintage

The grapes were harvested exclusively by hand, in multiple passes, as is customary for botrytis wines. Each pass selects only the bunches that have undergone sufficient noble rot. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels, followed by refined barrel aging, which gives the wine structure without suppressing its vibrancy. In 2023, this resulted in a wine with exceptionally pure and robust acidity. The balance is lean and energetic, noticeably less rich or creamy than in warmer years. The light spiciness, a hint of marmalade, and notes of quince add complexity to the wine. The expected drinking period runs from around 2026 until well after 2050.

Color, aroma and taste of the 2023 Doisy-Védrines

The color is light golden yellow with a bright sheen. The nose reveals slowly unfolding aromas of citrus, saffron, mandarin peel, jasmine, and a soft, honeyed floral note. The precision is striking upon tasting: the wine opens slender and lively, followed by a finely textured acidity that brings tension and suppleness. The sweetness is present but never heavy, supported by the fresh character typical of Barsac. The palate combines subtle spices, marmalade, citrus fruit, and quince. The finish is clean, light, and remarkably long. The wine already shows promise of elegant aging potential.

Would you like to order Château Doisy-Védrines wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.

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Wine and food pairing advice for the 2023 Doisy-Védrines

Foie gras with brioche and apple compote
The soft sweetness and lively acidity provide a perfect balance with the rich and creamy character of foie gras.

Turbot with saffron cream sauce
The elegant structure and subtle spiciness of the wine complement the tender fish and the aromatic sauce beautifully.

Lobster with citrus butter and fennel
The fine tension and freshness enhance the delicate sweetness of lobster and the fresh note of citrus.

Chicken with orange and ginger
The aromas of citrus, spiciness and light honey notes complement the texture and spicy depth of the dish.

Ripe Brie de Meaux with honey and hazelnuts
The soft creaminess of the cheese finds a perfect counterpoint in the fresh sweetness of Barsac.

Panna cotta with mandarin and saffron
The wine's floral and citrus notes form a natural connection with the light textures and warm spiciness of the dessert.