Chateau Doisy-Daene 2016

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Doisy-Daëne 2016

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays an intense golden hue, luminous and brilliant, characteristic of great Barsac sweet wines.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, with notes of white fruit (white peach, nectarine), candied citrus (preserved lemon, orange peel) and apricot. The bouquet is enhanced by nuances of acacia honey, white flowers and sweet spices. The overall impression conveys crystalline finesse and aromatic purity that underscore the elegance of the Barsac terroir.

Palate

The attack is both supple and lively, carried by a structuring acidity that brings freshness and balance. The palate unfolds a creamy, silky texture, revealing flavors of ripe white fruit, candied citrus, honey and vanilla. The finish stands out for its remarkable length and complexity, with persistent notes of citrus and dried fruits. The whole reflects exceptional balance, where finesse prevails over power, avoiding any heaviness despite significant concentration.

Food and wine pairings

This Château Doisy-Daëne 2016 pairs beautifully with pan-seared foie gras or foie gras terrine. It also complements blue cheeses such as Roquefort with elegance, as well as desserts featuring white and yellow fruits (apricot tart, peach clafoutis). Sweet-and-savory poultry dishes with fruit also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

Château Doisy-Daëne 2016 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. This wine can be enjoyed now but has aging potential through around 2050. It will gradually develop more complex aromas of dried fruits, honey and spices, while retaining its signature freshness.

Other characteristics

This sweet wine has a residual sugar level above 45 grams per liter, giving it a generous sweetness perfectly balanced by lively, structuring acidity, the hallmark of Barsac’s limestone terroir.

A Barsac of crystalline finesse and remarkable elegance

The estate

Owned since 1924 by Vignobles Denis Dubourdieu, Château Doisy-Daëne is a Second Growth (1855 classification) from Barsac, with vines rooted in fine clays over limestone—key to its structuring acidity and precise aromas. The estate stands out for four generations of family continuity and for major innovations, notably the dry Grand Vin Sec introduced as early as 1950.

The vineyard

The Château Doisy-Daëne vineyard spans around 15 hectares dedicated to the production of sweet wine, located on the Barsac plateau. The vines grow on shallow clay-sandy soils over a limestone subsoil. This geological feature allows the limestone to absorb water in winter and gradually release it to the vines during summer, promoting optimal ripening. The average vine age exceeds 40 years, ensuring remarkable concentration and aromatic complexity. The vineyard benefits from Barsac’s unique microclimate, created by the meeting of the cold waters of the Ciron and the warmer waters of the Garonne—ideal conditions for the development of noble rot.

The vintage

The 2016 vintage in Barsac was marked by contrasting weather conditions. Despite certain challenges during the season, the vintage produced wines of exceptional purity and freshness. The grapes reached remarkable ripeness, with optimal development of noble rot encouraged by autumn conditions. Harvesting was carried out in several successive passes (tries), selecting only berries with the ideal level of concentration and botrytization.

Vinification and aging

Château Doisy-Daëne 2016 was harvested by hand in multiple successive passes through the vineyard to pick only perfectly botrytized grapes. After gentle pressing, the musts fermented in oak barrels, with parcel-by-parcel vinification to preserve the characteristics of each lot. Aging took place in two stages: an initial period of around nine to twelve months in barrels, followed by a further nine to ten months in stainless-steel tanks. This method adds complexity while preserving the wine’s freshness and aromatic purity. Total aging lasts around nineteen to twenty-two months before bottling.

Grape varieties

Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.