Château Doisy-Védrines 2020

Very promising, delicate aromas of blossoms, exotic fruits, herbs and spices; shows elegance and refinement, great harmony and stylistic fidelity, can age and already offers pleasure – an excellent achievement.

Thick and honeyed, with flecks of bright lemon-zest acidity and a lemon sherbet tang dotting the palate, which otherwise remains quite caramelised and heavy, although it’s countered by pronounced acidity.

The 2020 Doisy-Védrines does not quite have the cohesion and depth of its peers on the nose, but there is purity—white peach, dried apricot and a touch of acacia. The palate is well balanced with a viscous texture and modest depth, though I find it less complex than the aromatics augur. Consequently, the finish just does not tempt you back as much as you would have liked. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Lemon chiffon, ginger, flowers, vanilla, honey, and orange cream on the nose. Sweet, juicy, and focused on honey-coated yellow tropical fruits and candied yellow citrus, with ample freshness to balance the sweetness. 91-93 pts

Medium golden yellow, silver reflections. Fine yellow tropical fruit, hints of fresh orange zest, yellow peach, some pineapple and bee honey. Powerful, white fruit nuances, good freshness, lemony honeyed touch on the finish, balanced, mineral and long lasting, a touch of white pepper and ginger on the finish, has certain ageing potential.

Orange zest, fine spices, yellow fruit, honey and modest oak. Good balance between freshness, extract and unctuousness, with a long and vigorous finish.

Beguiling Williams pear aroma, quince jelly and saffron. On the plump palate with an oily texture, intoxicating extract richness, supportive raciness and a full body. In the aromatic, long-lasting finish: mirabelle tart, mandarin oil and cooled green tea.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: creamy, finely opulent, powerful bouquet, citrus, mint, chalk, vanilla. Velvety, full, dense palate with pronounced sweetness, fine acidity, powerful, fresh aromatics, long, creamy finish.

Creamy, finely opulent, powerful bouquet with citrus, mint, chalk, vanilla. Velvety, full and dense palate with pronounced sweetness, fine acidity, powerful, fresh aromatics, long, creamy finish. 18/20 2026 - 2060

A blend of 80% Semillon, 18% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle, the 2020 Doisy-Vedrines has 132 g/L of residual sugar. It is pale lemon-straw in color and it is quite closed at this stage with chalky and waxy notes, over a core of lemon tart and key lime pie, plus wafts of toasted almonds and tree bark. Elegantly styled, the palate delivers a racy backbone to the bright, lively citrus and mineral layers, finishing long and chalky.

91-92

A rich, enticing bouquet with notes of dried apricot and spice. On the palate, lovely richness with flavors of spiced cake and raisin.

Doisy-Védrines stays true to its course, focused on consistency but also responsiveness. The aim is to reflect the nature of Doisy-Védrines through chalky nuances as well as tropical notes. With good density, the wine is slightly saline, smooth, and perfectly balanced. What a beautiful harmony between tension, charm, and breadth. The saline finish brings liveliness, while the structure promises potential.