2006 Doisy Daene 2nd Cru Classe Pre-Arrival Offer

Doisy-Daene, named after the owner in the late 1800's, Jacques Emmanuel Daëne, using the vineyards existing name of Doisy and combining it with his own. Doisy-Daene produces quintessential Barsacs with the emphasis on finesse, poise and elegance, rather than power and force, it is a wonderfully aromatic style partly attributed to the higher percentage of Sauvignon Blanc in the cuvee.

The vineyard is typical of Barsac, a mix of red sand and clay, limestone bedrock and fossilised shellfish. Vines were replanted in the 1950s and 1960s, and thus they average more than 40 years of age. There are 15.9 hectares altogether, located between Climens and Coutet. Semillon, accounts for 87% of the vineyard, with 12% Sauvignon Blanc and just 1% Muscadelle.

The estate was later acquired by Georges Dubourdieu in 1924, and today remains its proprietors with grandson Denis (an internationally renowned oenologist and Professor at the Faculty of Oenology at Bordeaux University) overseeing a collection of domaines including Doisy-Daene.

The Grand vin is today considered to be the Chateau Doisy-Daëne, composed of a blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc with a production of roughly 3000 cases per annum. In extremely desirable vintages such as 2009 and 2010, the Chateau will produce its L'Extravagant de Doisy-Daëne, a super-cuvée first produced in 1990 as result from an experiment with Sauvignon Blanc in what was a very successful vintage producing only 100 cases. Its price rivals that of d'Yquem, making it a special find indeed.

Deep golden straw colour with pale gold hue. The nose is both intense and intoxicating with lifted aromas of honeyed apricot, ripe peach and honeycomb with a touch of spice as an end note. Thick, extravagantly rich and concentrated the palate possesses a luscious creamy mouthfeel with intense flavours of honey, apricot and honeycomb followed by a touch of toffee and spice. Clean dry finish and perhaps just a touch broad. Outstanding length with long honeyed apricot, honeycomb, toffee and spice aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years (2016-2017)
Alc 14%

Other Reviews….

The flagship sweet wine of Professor Denis Dubourdieu, this is a beautifully made wine and one of the best I have tasted from the chateau. The wine, which is usually about 70% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon, and the rest Muscadelle, exhibits a bold, opulent style with gobs of fruit, some honeyed peach, apricot, and pineapple notes, an elegant yet substantial mouthfeel, and superb purity backed up the zesty acidity, giving the wine a laser-like focus. It is moderately sweet and by no means cloying at all. This is a gorgeous wine, probably not among the longest-lived of the vintage, but it has at least 20 years left in it.
Score: 93
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate # 181 Feb 2009

Tasted blind at Southwold ’06 Bordeaux tasting. Unexpectedly, Denis Dubourdieu’s Barsac is lacking a little vitality on the resin nose, though it does have an attractive minerally component that becomes more pronounced with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sharp acidity, not complex but it is attired in a fine waxy, oaky, barley sugar, passion fruit and a taut honeyed finish imbued with a good deal of panache. A delightful Daene destined for medium-term drinking. Tasted January 2010.
Score: 92
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2010

Conditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
The wines are being shipped directly from France in refrigerated containers and are expected to arrive in early October 2011. Payment in full is required at time of order to secure these wines at the special pre-arrival pricing. There is no minimum order. Orders less than $200 will attract a delivery fee. Orders placed with non pre-arrival wines will be held back until pre-arrival wines arrive or special instructions issued.