Château Doisy Védrines, 2ème Cru Classé, Barsac, 2022

Tasting Note:

We have consistently rated this as one of our top Sauternes/Barsac over the last few years and remain flummoxed by its relative lack of recognition versus that of its peers. The 2022 does not disappoint and delivers all that we love about Doisy Védrines - its freshness and drinkability, allied to sufficient concentration and complexity. Sauternes can all too easily be unbalanced and cloying - sweetness and viscosity trumping harmony and complexity. Well by these latter two metrics, this was one of the very finest sweeties we tasted in 2022: The layered apricot richness and depth, alluring floral wild honey smoothness and zesty citrus freshness combine seamlessly to deliver something sophisticated yet easy to enjoy, a cleansing finish washing away the well-judged mid palate concentration. A Barsac designed for pleasure with the equilibrium to age gracefully. The result of 4 tries through the vineyard, yielding super ripe and healthy grapes "the botrytis came when the grapes were already very ripe" noted owner Olivier Castéja, adding "but the danger was to harvest too early before fruit complexity developed. 2022 reminds me alot of 1988." 90% Semillon, 8% Sauvignon, 2% Muscadelle.