Château Doisy-Daëne 2016

Of great density, juicy, fruity, long, with a supporting minerality. Excellently crafted.

A racy and pure style, with a honeysuckle note leading off, followed quickly by white peach, pineapple and yellow apple fruit flavors mixed with acacia and orange blossom hints. Best from 2022 through 2038. 3,583 cases made.

A lovely example of Barsac from the Dubourdieu stables from a fine vintage. Rich barley sugar notes combined with a touch of Asian spice, lime and a hint of salt/white pepper seasoning. Notes of honeycomb with an aftertaste of caramelised sugar and zest of orange rind. Fine balance between sweetness, fruit purity and acidity keeping the palate in check. Certainly not excessively sweet. There is plenty to enjoy here for lovers of Bordeaux dessert wines.

There’s a wealth of rich, ripe apricots and sweetly fragrant peaches here, as well as a gently tropical edge. The palate is fleshy and richly sweet and offers smooth orange-marmalade flavors. Striking elegance and length here. A blend of semillon and sauvignon blanc. Drink or hold.

Flowers, white peach, apricot and honeyed pineapple are everywhere. The finish delivers rich, sweet, juicy fruits, roasted nuts, tropical fruits and apricot.

One of the top sweet wines I was able to taste for this report was the 2016 Château Doisy Daëne. It’s a powerhouse of a Barsac, boasting a light gold color as well as a huge, exotic perfume of buttered oranges, tropical fruits, lemon curd, and tropical fruits. Deep, full-bodied, thick and opulent on the palate, it stays relatively light on its feet and balanced. It’s a thrill a minute and doesn’t pull any punches, and I promise it will put a smile on your face. Drink it any time over the coming 20-25 years.

Medium yellow with green highlights. Ripe peach and mirabelle tart, followed by peppery botrytis and dried apricots. On the palate, oily, full-bodied and powerful, with noticeable minerality and great charm. As always, a somewhat atypical Barsac: a heavyweight that still knows how to delight!

Kunz barrel sample 17: elegant, fresh, powerful bouquet, dried pears, kumquats, chalk, mint, fine citrus notes. Balanced, velvety, densely knit palate with firm acidity, creamy texture, fine acidity, dense, multifaceted aromatics, long, delicate finish with plenty of lingering flavors.

Elegant, fresh, powerful bouquet with dried pears, kumquats, chalk, mint, and delicate citrus. Balanced, velvety, tightly knit palate with firm acidity, creamy texture, fine acidity, dense and varied aromatics, long, delicate finish with plenty of lingering flavors. 18/20 2022 - 2045

Precise, generously liqueurous, with the freshness specific to the vintage, a very classic Barsac.

A beautiful Barsac-style signature with pure, highly mineral fruit, lifted by delicate notes of grapefruit.

Melon, candied pear and spices. Generous palate, slightly lacking pep.

Golden yellow. Complex bouquet with notes of peaches and apricots. A touch of salted caramel, crème brûlée, and, finally, a hint of minerality. Lovely freshness and density on the palate. A wine that combines power and finesse. Persistent finish. It has the potential to age for a long time. A great success.

Pale, clear and bright color. Intense, pure, fruity nose. Delicate on the attack, very caressing as it develops, highly aromatic, with an airy body and a superb texture. The wine stretches out on the finish—long, flavorful, complex and deep. It scores many points in the final moments on the palate.

94–96. Barrel Sample. This wine has great freshness, shot through with acidity and a core of dry botrytis. The wine is rich while also structured. It will certainly be a wine to age.