Château Doisy-Védrines Sauternes 2014 (Half Bottle 375mL)

“A blend of 85% Semillon, 13% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle, the 2014 Doisy-Vedrines has 137 g/L of residual sugar. It is pale to medium straw-gold in color and it needs a little coaxing to bring out notes of tree bark, fresh hay, and lemongrass, followed by touches of apple pie and poached pears. The palate is open-knit and expressive, with bags of honey-laced apple and pear preserve flavors, framed by just enough acidity, finishing long and savory.”

“Glazed pear, fig and apple notes form the initial display here, followed by hints of dried orange peel, maple and almond. The long finish is coated with a heather honey accent, yet this still shows cut and drive overall. A slightly more powerful style of Barsac, and should age beautifully. Best from 2020 through 2040.”

“Rich and firm, with great concentration, this wine is powered by botrytis, honey and the ripest yellow fruit and bitter orange flavors. It promises a great future, with power and richness balanced by acidity. Drink from 2023.”

“Highly tight knit at the moment, the wine showcases ripe aromatics of bananas foster and creme brulee with a whiff of smoke. The weight is absolutely lovely as this wine has a wonderful seamless quality. Creme brulee, apricot, vanilla cream and roasted pineapple flavors impress. This really needs a decade or more of cellaring.”

“Luscious, sweet, ripe and overripe tropical fruit, candied orange and dried apricot all coated with honey and a touch of marzipan. There is good weight and enough racy acidity keeping this wine on the fresh and refreshing side.”

“The full candied citrus, pineapple and mangoes and the generous sweetness make this quite a lush wine, and there’s just enough acidity to bind it all together into a neat package. Not as exciting as from barrel but outstanding. Drink now.”

“The 2014 Doisy-Védrines has a more petrol/resinous nose than its peers and, again, a little Germanic in style, but it lacks the panache of the Clos Haut-Peyraguey. The palate is balanced with a viscous entry and smooth with apricot and wild peach. Yet, I am seeking more mineralité and intensity on the finish that comes across as a bit simplistic against its peers. This tasted much better previously, hence the question mark against my score. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.”