Doisy Daene, 2019 2019

vinous 2012

Rating: 91 –91

The 2012 Doisy-Daëne comes across just a little disjointed on the nose, though it does begin to cohere with aeration with scents of white flowers and almond. The palate is well balanced with a tang of orange zest mixed with peach and elderflower, fine acidity, pretty with a caressing viscous finish. Not a top-ranking Doisy-Daëne, but it should give another 12-15 years of drinking pleasure. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

vinous 2012

Rating: 87 –87

The 2012 Doisy-Daëne is simple and rather one-dimensional on the nose because of the awful growing season, gradually offering light honey and almond notes. The palate is better with good weight, tangy marmalade and orange rind, a touch of lemongrass with fine acidity. At the end of the day, this is a fine Barsac let down by the aromatics. Tasted at the vertical at Doisy-Daëne.

vinous 2011

Rating: 92 –92

Bright gold. Pure aromas of kiwi, gooseberry and mandarin orange lifted by fresh white flowers. Juicy, lively and intense, delivering bracing flavors of floral apple, pear and sweet spices. This fruit-driven Sauternes finishes silky and long, with palate-cleansing acidity. It's less opulent than I remembered it, but I love this wine's high-acid personality and aromatic purity. Not surprisingly for a Denis Dubourdieu wine, it's very sauvignon blanc.

vinous 2011

Rating: 91 –94

(3.5 pH; 180 g/l residual sugar): Deep golden yellow with some amber. Fruit salad and floral aromas along with spicy, honeyed orange on the perfumed nose. Opulent and concentrated, with lovely inner-mouth aromatic quality and bright acidity framing the sweet fruit salad and pure mineral flavors. The very long finish offers a restrained sweetness and a fresh lemon sorbet quality.

vinous 2011

Rating: 93 –93

The 2011 Doisy-Daëne has a tightly wound nose at first, unfurling to reveal pure honey, saffron and Mirabelle aromas. The palate is well balanced with a harmonious texture, fine acidity, very pure with an almost caressing honeyed, lemongrass-tinged finish. There is something almost tender about this Sauternes. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.

vinous 2011

Rating: 93 –93

The 2011 Doisy-Daëne has one of the highest residual sugar levels at 168g/L. "Denis was not happy with that," remarked his son Jean-Jacques Dubourdieu. "We finished the harvest at the end of September, so it was super quick." It is quite floral on the nose, yellow flowers and wild honey, orange blossom and a touch of pralines emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, fresh and vibrant, a little spicier than I recall with fine tension towards the finish. Enticing apricot and white peach notes intermingle with white chocolate and lemongrass, completing a wonderful Barsac. Tasted at the vertical at Doisy-Daëne.

robert_parker 2020

Rating: 94 –96

Pale lemon-gold in color, the 2020 Doisy Daëne shoots from the glass with vibrant scents of lime cordial, orange blossoms and preserved ginger, plus suggestions of wild mushrooms, honey-drizzled pears and nutmeg. The palate is seductively rich and viscous with a beautifully balanced backbone of acidity and loads of earth and spice accents complementing the preserved citrus flavors, finishing long, lifted and lively. A very impressive achievement!

robert_parker 2019

Rating: 94 –96

The 2019 Doisy Daëne has seriously intense notes of pineapple upside-down cake, ripe apricots and lemon marmalade with hints of acacia honey, paraffin wax, orange blossoms and preserved ginger plus a waft of marzipan. The palate is rich, unctuous and boldly decadent, featuring layer upon layer of exotic fruits and spices, finishing with that signature freshness. A powerhouse!

robert_parker 2017

Rating: 94 –94

The 2017 Doisy Daëne comes strutting out of the glass with flamboyant notes of tropical fruits—pineapple tart and green mango—plus lemon meringue pie and peach preserves with candied peel, spice cake and musk perfume in the background. The satiny-textured palate has wonderful poise and freshness with and an ethereal lightness of being and mineral-tinged finish.

robert_parker 2017

Rating: 92 –94

The 2017 Doisy Daëne has a slightly closed nose with ripe apples and fresh pears accented with sparks of lemon and orange peel plus a touch of fungi. It's very rich and bold in the mouth with balancing freshness and a long earthy finish.

robert_parker 2016

Rating: 94 –94

Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Doisy Daëne is a little closed, opening out to reveal lime blossoms, Mandarin peel, candied lemon peel and peach blossoms scents with hints of spice cake and crème brûlée. The palate offers an incredible array of citrus and spice layers with fantastic freshness and length.

robert_parker 2016

Rating: 95 –97

The 2016 Doisy Daene has a generous bouquet with lovely scents of yellow flower and peach infusing the honeyed aromas. The palate is fresh on the entry with tangy orange peel and peachy notes, very harmonious and viscous in texture, leading to a detailed and persistent finish that is one of the most delicious I can remember from this Barsac estate. This wine will always be tinged with sadness, since it coincides with the passing of Denis Dubourdieu. But his legacy will live on in his wines, including this one, which is magnificent.

robert_parker 2015

Rating: 96 –96

The 2015 Doisy Daene has a wonderful, vibrant bouquet with beautifully delineated honeyed fruit and superb mineralité. The palate is extremely well balanced with a killer line of acidity, very focused with pineapple, apricot, quince and mineral toward the detailed finish that is brimming with energy and vigor. What a great Doisy Daene this is going to be (if you can resist the temptation to open a bottle!).

robert_parker 2012

Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. The 2012 Château Doisy-Daëne put in a vexing showing after such a promising display from barrel. Here, it has a simple nose that feels rudimentary and maybe a little raw compared to its peers. The palate is balanced but very simple, very linear in style. There is just a touch of bitterness that surfaces in the second half that lacks depth and a sense of conviction. Maybe this is enduring a closed phase but I have tasted much better wines from this iconic Barsac estate in recent years. I will seek to re-evaluate this.

robert_parker 2011

Rating: 95 –95

Tasted blind at the Sauternes 2011 horizontal tasting. The Château Doisy-Daëne 2011 builds upon its outstanding performance from barrel. It has a powerful bouquet with seductive scents of wild honey, yellow flowers and orange blossom that are well defined, perhaps a little more extravagant then Denis Dubourdieu's wines of yore. The palate is mellifluous on the entry with well-judged acidity, sensual and harmonious, poised on the entry and then fanning out gloriously with Clementine and honeyed notes that shimmer. This is an irresistible Barsac.

robert_parker 2011

Rating: 95 –97

The aromatics on the Doisy-Daene comes racing out of the blocks like a March hare, soaring from the glass with honey, quince and lychee aromas with a sorbet like freshness and vivacity. The palate is supremely well balanced with a heightened level of tension and purity, offering delectable but subtle notes of white peach and apricot towards the beautifully composed, mineral-rich finish. Curiously, it reminds me of a top-flight Mosel Auslese, but what a fabulous Barsac from Denis Dubourdieu!

robert_parker 2010

Rating: 92 –94

Denis Dubourdieu’s Barsac cru has an attractive bouquet with subtle notes of cooking apple, pear and lime-flower, all with very fine delineation. The palate displays good weight and a fine thread of acidity, lending tension and poise that leads to a taut finish, showing good botrytis levels for the vintage. With its trademark minerality in place, this Doisy-Daene comes highly recommended.

robert_parker 2010

Rating: 95 –95

Pale to medium lemon-gold in color, the 2010 Doisy Daëne leaps from the glass with lively notions of honey-drizzled peaches, apple crumble, crème brûlée and lime leaves with touches of dried pineapple and orange blossoms. The palate is layered with energetic, intricate stone fruit, citrus and savory layers, framed with fantastic freshness, finishing with epic persistence.

robert_parker 2010

Rating: 92 –92

The Doisy-Daene 2010 has a rather direct, crisp bouquet, with notes of quince, dried honey and beeswax. There is a sense of steeliness to these aromatics. The palate is ripe and sweet on the entry, with racy lines of acidity and a judicious touch of spice. In a line-up of Sauternes, it lacks the flamboyance and sensuality of the appellation’s more sugar-laden offerings, but it has a class that cannot be denied. Drink now-2035.

robert_parker 2009

Rating: 96 –98

Denis Dubourdieu has provided one of the genuine stars of the vintage with the Chateau Doisy-Daene, two, if you count his Extravagance. This has a very fragrant nose with apple blossom, lime leaf and a touch of honey. Very fresh and lifted...spring-like. The palate is very well balanced, not a powerful Sauternes but ethereally poised and focused, skipping blithely to an animated pear, honeysuckle and apricot finish. Very pretty, very complete and very outstanding.

robert_parker 2009

Rating: 94 –94

The 2009 Doisy-Daene was spectacular out of barrel, however it has never quite reached those ethereal heights in bottle. Perhaps this rich, generous vintage did not quite suit the crisp, tense style of Denis Dubourdieu’s Barsac? Compared to others in this blind tasting, it comes across as more muted on the nose with scents of beeswax, marmalade and lanolin, though the Sauvignon Blanc is very expressive. The palate is very well-balanced on the entry with crisp acidity cutting through the viscous texture. The finish is rounded in the mouth, offering attractive notes of lemon sherbet and orange essence. Everything is very “contained” at the moment, although the tension suggests that it should age well. I suspect this will need a decade before it really blossoms. Drink 2020-2040.

robert_parker 2009

Rating: 92 –94

The Doisy Daene 2009 is quite delicious now giving intense aromas of lemon marmalade, preserved kumquat, mandarin peel and honeycomb. The palate is big, rich and sweet with a seductive silkiness and around 150 g/l of residual sugar / 14% alcohol. Long in the finish, it only seems slightly lacking in Botrytic character but is nonetheless an enticing wine.

robert_parker 2008

Rating: 90 –90

Tasted single blind against its peers. Winemaker Denis Dubourdieu fashioned an uncompromising Doisy-Daene that is furnished with a taut, linear, minerally nose that shows little evidence of botrytis. The palate is medium-bodied, very fresh with crisp acidity, leading to a linear, minerally finish with traces of dried honey and quince that are shrill at present. Tasted January 2012.

robert_parker 2008

Rating: 91 –91

The Doisy-Daene is a little withdrawn on the nose, perhaps going through an awkward stage after bottling? The palate has a waxy entry with honeycomb, dried mango and a touch of orange zest, leading to a weighty finish with good persistence and purity. This is an intense, mineral-rich style of Sauternes, one that is well-made and very succinct, but needs more time in bottle. Drink now-2025+

robert_parker 2008

Rating: 90 –92

Denis Dubourdieu has gifted us a taut, precise Doisy this year. It has a lifted chalky nose with honey, apple-blossom and a touch of kiwi fruit. Good definition. The palate is fresh and lively, well balanced, not a great deal of botrytis but with a refreshing, taut, linear finish of honeysuckle, a dash of apricot and green lemon, although it should put on weight in bottle. Precision, precision!

robert_parker 2007

Rating: 94 –94

Tasted single blind against its peers. Denis Dubourdieu conjured a wonderful Barsac in 2007. Here there is an initial lightness on the nose that builds with each swirl of the glass. It exhibits fine minerality with apple, dried honey and a touch of wet stone. The palate is very harmonious with good acidity, very focused and succinct with great precision towards the poised finish. This has barely starting motoring, but it possesses an unbridled sense of nonchalance. Tasted January 2011.

robert_parker 2007

Rating: 95 –95

Denis Dubourdieu conjured one of the best 2007 Barsac wines with the 2007 Doisy-Daene, even though it showed a little subdued on the nose and demanded a great deal of coaxing. Touches of lemon curd, mango, white flowers and crushed stone. The palate is very tense on the entry, excellent acidity here and beautifully balanced. There is a sense of “urgency” to this Doisy-Daene: coiled up energy that explodes on the finish with lemongrass, apricot, clear honey and white peach. Superb length and chutzpah. This is a wonderful wine. Drink 2012-2030+

robert_parker 2007

Rating: 94 –96

The 2007 Doisy-Daene has an intense nose with heavily botrytized fruit with notes of peach, honeydew melon, apple-blossom and a touch of mango. The palate is medium-bodied, very well balanced with a fantastic sense of tension and nervosité. Notes of honey, peach, minerals, citrus lemon with a wonderfully focused finish that goes on and on. A really wonderful Barsac. Drink 2012-2040. Tasted April 2008.

robert_parker 2006

Rating: 92 –92

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.

robert_parker 2006

Rating: 92 –94

Tasted twice with two negotiants, one more disjointed that the other. This actually lacks the vigour of the Doisy-Vedrines on the nose. Honey, pineapple, a touch of buttered toast and vanilla pod: all a little pinched at the moment. The palate shows real promise: full-bodied, rich and with admirable levels of botrytized fruits. Acacia honey, lemon, orange peel with a very fresh, unctuous finish. Great length. Superb. Tasted March 2007.

robert_parker 2006

Rating: 93 –93

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.

robert_parker 2006

Rating: 93 –93

The 2006 Doisy Daene is a little closed on the nose: honey, butterscotch, tinned pineapple and a touch of apricot. Perhaps it is me, but the wine is a little ‘sleepy’. The palate is viscous, lovely acidity and vibrancy, very harmonious honeyed middle with a focused, long honeyed finish. Very primal of course, but the balance bodes so well for its future. Excellent. Drink 2011-2025. Tased September 2008.

robert_parker 2005

Rating: 94 –94

This is a great wine, but you would not expect anything else from Denis Dubourdieu. The nose is closed but has great definition. The palate displays exquisite balance, vibrant acidity, hints of almond and a tangible mineral core. Hints of beeswax and even kerosene towards the finish. Complex and engaging but always with supreme delineation and focus. Fabulous stuff. Tasted April 2007.

robert_parker 2005

Rating: 94 –96

The nose is more muted than others. Chalk dust and lemon, apricot. The palate has lovely balance, very floral and minerally with a sweet peachy, petrolly finish. A great Barsac wine. Great balance and persistency. Tasted April 2006.

robert_parker 2005

Rating: 94 –94

Tasted blind at the 10-Year On Tasting in Sauternes. The 2005 Château Doisy-Daëne has a very attractive nose with perfumed apricot blossom, white peach and honey all infused with cold stone scents. The palate is very well balanced with beautifully judged acidity. This feels harmonious in the mouth, almost Coutet-like in style with a long, lightly spiced finish. This is an excellent Doisy-Daene from Denis Dubourdieu.

robert_parker 2004

Rating: 88 –88

The 2004 Doisy-Daene had a peculiar showing, one that certainly has not reached the heights of previous bottles. It has a straightforward gooseberry and white flower-scented nose that is missing some depth and penetration. The palate is better, with an appealing, caressing entry of tangerine, apricot and marmalade, though it needs more tension toward the finish, which is content to doggie paddle rather than front crawl. This just seems a little “flightless” to what I was expecting. Drink now-2020. Tasted February 2014.

robert_parker 2003

Rating: 89 –89

Ex-chateau bottle tasted blind in Sauternes. The Doisy-Daene ’03 was a little disappointing at 10-years of age and to honest, it is not a Sauternes (or more accurately Barsac) that would have suited the warm 2003 season that would have neutered its nervosite. It has a lifted, slightly alcoholic bouquet with touches of quince and spice that feels as if its delineation has been erased. The palate is rich and spicy on the entry with notes of orange peel, dried mango and vanilla, with a slight volatility marring the Tokaji-like finish. Not a bad wine, but Denis Dubourdieu has crafted many finer wines that this. Drink now-2018. Tasted April 2013.

robert_parker 2003

Rating: 94 –96

A great success for the vintage. A fine nose with great concentration and richness. Candied orange, honey and lemon. Very concentrated on the palate, harmonious and very focused with superb definition. Honey and apricots. Very rich on the finish with an impressive length. Superb. Tasted again after bottling at the UGC in October 2005. A similar nose to the Doisy-Vedrines but the palate is much more spicy with a higher degree of botrytis. Notes of marmalade and apricot with great definition. Quite tight but very deep and long on the honeyed finish. A great Barsac.

robert_parker 2003

Rating: 87 –91

It is against my better judgment to taste the sweet wines of Barsac and Sauternes at such an early age, as I find they typically require at least 12 months to reveal the definition/delineation so essential in these creamy, creme brulee, and honeysuckle-flavored offerings. Nevertheless, because this vintage is so highly regarded, I tasted through most of the top estates. The 2003s appear to be somewhat in the style of the 1990s, with high levels of residual sugar (higher than 2001 for the most part) as well as botrytis, low acidity, and fat, full-bodied personalities. This region’s harvest began extremely early (early September), and was completely finished within three weeks. It does not appear that the nobleness and racy richness of the 2001 vintage will be found in the 2003s, but readers who like the big, flamboyant, over the top style of the 1990s will enjoy the 2003s even more than I did. Unlike most of my red wine tastings, this offering was only tasted once. Readers should keep in mind that this a very early, pre-bottling judgment from very unevolved wine that is not nearly as defined and easy to evaluate as the reds.

robert_parker 2003

Rating: 91 –91

No tasting note was given.

robert_parker 2003

Rating: 89 –91

Space limitations preclude including tasting notes. 2003 is a rich, sweet vintage of powerful, full-bodied wines that possess huge levels of glycerin, alcohol, and residual sugar.

robert_parker 2002

Rating: 90 –92

Very impressive out of barrel, then tasted one month later at London Wine Trade Fair where it has a subdued nose with faint scents of peach and apricot. Palate is quite spicy and lively with an impressive level of botrytis. Quite viscous with an attractive marmalade finish. Very fine. Tasted May 2003.

robert_parker 2002

Rating: 86 –86

Tasted blind at Farr’s Sauternes 2002 horizontal. A little pale in colour, the bouquet is more akin to an Alsace than Sauternes, with touches of peach, lychee and apricot. Good definition, but lacking some vigour and typicite. The palate is slightly better, some ripe botrytized fruit, but it is very linear and rather monotonous, desperately needing a peacock’s tail on the finish but failing to deliver. Touches of sour lemon, honey and marmalade linger in the mouth. Perhaps this Doisy-Daene is in a dumb phase because it stubbornly refused to open. Tasted October 2009.

robert_parker 2001

Rating: 95 –95

The Doisy Daene 2001 is still quite backward on the nose compared to its peers and as a consequence, demands more coaxing from the glass: beeswax, honeycomb and a touch of lanolin. The palate is well balanced with a vibrant, citrus-fresh entry. This Barsac is struck through with engaging, lovely orange peel and citrus lemon notes here that segue into a refined and tensile finish that leaves you wanting any sip.

robert_parker 2001

Rating: 88 –90

A greenish light gold color is followed by a richly fruity wine with loads of peach, pear, honey, and vanilla notes, an elegant, medium-bodied palate, good acidity, and plenty of botrytis. Although not one of the sweetest 2001s, it will no doubt be flexible with food. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2015.

robert_parker 2001

Rating: 89 –89

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 10-Year On horizontal. This is simple on the nose, lacking the botrytis of its peers with a simple grapefruit, lime flower and honey nose that needs more vigour. The palate is better with touches of tangerine on the entry, nicely balanced but lacking real complexity towards the finish. I think Denis Dubourdieu could have made a better Doisy in this favourable growing season. Tasted March 2011.

robert_parker 2001

Rating: 94 –94

A light medium gold color and closed aromatics are found in the extravagantly rich, unctuous 2001. With terrific acidity, abundant botrytis, and a long, full-throttle finish, this spectacular effort will drink well between 2007-2020. It is unquestionably one of the finest Doisy-Daenes I have ever tasted.

robert_parker 2001

Rating: 89 –91

Disjointed nose of honey and apples. Green fruits. Moderate acidity but the palate is pinched at the moment. Needs time - must retaste next year. I expected more from this great year and from Doisy-Daene so I will endeavour to retaste this. Tasted May 2002.

robert_parker 2001

Rating: 88 –90

Disjointed nose of honey and apples. Green fruits. Moderate acidity but the palate is pinched at the moment. Needs time - must retaste next year. I expected more from this great year and from Doisy-Daene so I will endeavour to retaste this. Tasted May 2002. (No tasting note was provided in Issue 140. We have instead included the text of the tasting note from the 2002 Neal Martin’s Wine Journal)

robert_parker 1998

Rating: 91 –93

First tasted in May 2003 when it failed to really enamour, with less botrytis than hoped (possibly an unrepresentative bottle.) Tasted again in July 2006 when it was far superior. Fairly deep amber colour. A deep nose of tangerine, orange peel, touches of marmalade. Quite a lot of botrytis on the palate. Very focused, good definition. Tangerine on the finish. Delicate and refined. Excellent.

robert_parker 1997

Rating: 94 –94

Tasted with Denis Dubourdieu at the chateau. With no Sauvignon Blanc in the blend, the 1997 Doisy-Daene has a lovely nose that is evolving beautifully: honey, mandarin and subtle petrol aromas. The palate is rich and viscous with pure honey, apricot and quince. Smooth and sensual, this is turning out to be one of the finest Sauternes from the vintage. Tasted April 2011.

robert_parker 1997

Rating: 92 –92

Tasted at Doisy-Daene with Denis Dubourdieu. A lucid golden hue with green tints. The bouquet is fragrant with touches of honey, white flowers, just a hint of barley sugar and apple-blossom. Very fine definition. The palate is medium-bodied, viscous on the entry with hints of ginger inflecting the dried honey and apricot fruit, moving towards traditional Barsac traits of barley sugar and quince jus towards the finish. Vibrant acidity, good weight on the finish that is a little terse at the moment. A saline tang on the aftertaste. I would cellar this for another 5-6 years. This is a lovely 2007, although I feel that it has been surpassed in recent vintages. Drink now-2020+ Tasted April 2010.

robert_parker 1997

Rating: 88 –90

This The impressive bottling offers a moderately intense nose of coconuts intermixed with smoke, cherries, and honeyed lemons and pineapples. There is outstanding purity, gorgeous fruit, seemingly low acidity, and an excellent fat, fleshy finish. This wine may merit an outstanding score if it develops more complexity.

robert_parker 1997

Rating: 89 –89

This The impressive bottling offers a moderately intense nose of coconuts intermixed with smoke, cherries, and honeyed lemons and pineapples. There is outstanding purity, gorgeous fruit, seemingly low acidity, and an excellent fat, fleshy finish. This wine may merit an outstanding score if it develops more complexity. (No tasting note was provided in Issue 128. We have instead included the text of the tasting note from Issue 122)

robert_parker 1997

Rating: 90 –92

Clear with green tints. Soft, elegant, very honeyed on the nose. Honey and butterscotch on the palate that is very tight, but there is a lot of concentration here. Excellent - give it ten years. Tasted April 1998.

robert_parker 1996

Rating: 95 –95

Tasted with Denis Dubourdieu at the chateau. The 1996 demonstrates a little more intensity on the nose than the '97 with supreme definition and mineralite, the 10% Sauvignon Blanc adding sharpness. The palate is very well balanced with vibrant honeycomb, white peach and apricot. Such a vivacious 1996, it has a tension and poise that really is quite entrancing. Barely seeming to have aged over 15-years, this is a Barsac that will repay long-term cellaring. Tasted April 2011.

robert_parker 1990

Rating: 93 –93

Tasted with Denis Dubourdieu at the chateau. The 1990 has a bright golden hue. It has a typical 1990 Sauterne nose: ebullient, spicy and rich with notes of honey, creme caramel and candied orange peel. Very fine delineation. The palate is unctuous in the mouth but has sufficient acidity to cut through it. Quince, Seville orange marmalade and almond shavings towards the beautifully composed finish. Excellent. Tasted April 2011.

robert_parker 1990

Rating: 90 –90

Tasted at Doisy-Daene with Denis Dubourdieu. A lucid golden hue. The 1990 is endowed with a very attractive nose that has moved firmly into secondary phase with perfumed aromas of marmalade, honeycomb, honey, dried flowers and beeswax. The palate is medium-bodied, beautifully balanced and delineated, vibrant acidity, just a faint saline touch towards the finish that lingers in the mouth. With time, hints of anis, mint, lemongrass and Seville orange. This is just sublime, yet it yearns to be partnered with some cuisine. It has 92 grams residual sugar for those numerically minded. Drink now-2018+ Tasted April 2010.

robert_parker 1990

Rating: 83 –84

Heavy-handed, with a big, chunky nose of tropical fruits, the full-bodied, alcoholic regular bottling of Doisy-Daene lacks both acidity and botrytis.

robert_parker 1990

Rating: 91 –91

The 1990 regular cuvee is revealing far more complexity and richness than it did in the past. It is a bold, opulent, exquisite example of Barsac, with more richness and intensity than I have encountered in previous vintages of Doisy-Daene. Light to medium gold-colored, with a honeyed, botrysized nose, huge amounts of alcohol and power, and a heady finish, the wine possesses just enough acidity to balance out its bold flavors and forcefulness. Drink it over the next 15+ years.

robert_parker 1989

Rating: 81 –83

Nose is muted with little botrytis and scents of orange. Low acidity but not cloying. Very little botrytis. Caramel with a creme brulee finish. Should be much better. I prefer the Doisy-Vedrines 1989. Tasted December 2001.

robert_parker 1989

Rating: 89 –89

The 1989 performed better than in previous tastings, exhibiting plenty of honeyed ripe fruit, a more elegant personality, fine richness, chunkiness and depth, full body, and low acidity. It does not reveal the botrytis found in the 1990 or 1988.

robert_parker 1988

Rating: 89 –89

The 1988 is the lightest of the 1988, 1989 and 1990 vintages. It has medium body and a fragrant pineapple, peach, and apple-scented nose, with a honeysuckle component that adds complexity. The wine is crisp, dry, and ideal for drinking now and over the next 10 years.

robert_parker 1985

Rating: 82 –82

I could find no evidence of botrytis in this wine that comes across as relatively fat, uncomplex, and straightforward. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/90

robert_parker 1983

Rating: 92 –94

Quite a muted nose: scents of coconut and honeysuckle. Lovely balance on the palate with honeyed fruits laced with almonds and spice. Very good acidity with great concentration and length. Another wonderful Doisy-Daene that will drink over 8-12 years. Tasted June 2001.

robert_parker 1982

Rating: 82 –82

One of the better 1982s, ripe and fruity, with the taste of fresh oranges, this medium-bodied Doisy-Daene has good length, a fresh, lemony acidity, moderate sweetness, and a solid finish. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/87.

robert_parker 1981

Rating: 78 –78

Somewhat light, and perhaps dominated by oak to an extreme, this fruity, soft, moderately concentrated wine has little botrytis, and a short finish. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 1/85.

robert_parker 1980

Rating: 82 –82

Surprisingly advanced on the nose, the 1980 Doisy-Daene has a light golden color, an aromatic floral- and pineapple-scented bouquet, soft, moderately sweet, fat, plump flavors, and just enough acidity to keep the wine from feeling heavy. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 6/84.

robert_parker 1978

Rating: 83 –83

Not a terribly impressive vintage, this wine made from grapes picked very late in November displays less intensity than the 1979, but has an elegant, fruity, spicy nose, firm, sweet flavors, and good, firm acidity. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 6/84.

robert_parker 1975

Rating: 78 –78

Some disturbing sulphur aromas in the bouquet seem to constantly appear in bottles of this wine. On the palate, the wine is rich and creamy, with a honeyed, pineapple fruitiness, and a succulent, sweet finish. The taste is considerably better than the bouquet. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 11/82.

robert_parker 1934

Rating: 94 –94

At the annual Academie du Vin dinner in Bordeaux, Denis Dubourdieu generously donated a magnum of Chateau Doisy-Daene 1934 - and what a stunning Barsac this is. Deep amber in color, the astonishing bouquet remains beautifully defined even after eight decades with heavenly scents of marmalade, quince, lemon curd and honeycomb. Its vigor seems undiminished by time. The palate does not quite match the aromatics but it is still splendid: fresh and vibrant with a killer line of acidity that slashes through the notes of bitter orange, dried honey and Seville orange. Of course, the large format and impeccable provenance play their part but experience has shown time and time again the joy to be found from old vintages of this Barsac estate.

robert_parker 1928

Rating: 93 –93

The 1928 Doisy-Daëne, the oldest vintage that I have tasted from Denis Dubourdieu's domaine to date, demonstrated just how well this Barsac can age, much like the magnum of 1934 encountered last year. What is remarkable is that it has retained that signature Barsac nose: barley sugar, a touch of chlorine (tyical of ancient Barsac in particular). The palate is not as elegant as the Doisy-Védrines '28, perhaps not quite as nuanced, though felt weightier in the mouth. This is a "bigger" Barsac with tangy marmalade furnishing the powerful vintage. This is an excellent Doisy-Daëne that has aged with aplomb, although it was clearly approaching the end of its mortal coil.

vinous 2013

Rating: 93 –96

A model of total grace and understatement, the 2013 Doisy-Daëne is drop-dead-gorgeous. Freshly cut white flowers, mint, sweet spices, pears and lychee all meld together in the glass in an effortless, gracious wine. The soft, intensely floral, crystalline finish makes it impossible to resist a second taste. The 2013 Doisy-Daëne impresses for its superb drinkability. If I was going to buy only one moderately-priced Sauternes in 2013, Doisy-Daëne would be it.

vinous 2013

Rating: 90 –92

Palish yellow-gold. High-toned but closed on the nose today, hinting at honey, lime, ginger and grilled nuts. Then quite pure and aromatic in the mouth, offering flavors of fresh citrus fruits, saffron and honey complicated by a botrytis-related smoky bitterness. Perfumed and nicely delineated on the long finish, showing lively snap thanks to zippy acidity. Lovely wine.

vinous 2013

Rating: 89 –89

The 2013 Doisy-Daëne is quite pale in colour. The nose is simple with fresh dried honey and honeysuckle scents, although it is missing some weight and complexity. The palate is much better with bitter orange and mango on the entry, fine acidity (which Jean-Jacques Dubourdieu attributes to the cold conditions). It is not complex but it has "lilting charm" on the finish. Drink over the next 10 years. Tasted at the vertical at Doisy-Daëne.

vinous 2010

Rating: 87 –89

Pale straw. Bright, floral pear and apricot aromas, complicated by mineral and caramel notes. Bright and fresh on entry, then viscous in the middle, with sweet ripe orange marmalade and apricot flavors dominating. Finishes clean and long, with hints of green and white pepper. This has a lovely refined texture, but I often wonder Doisy-Da e ne is robbed of a bit of concentration and richness in the years when owner Denis Dubourdieu makes his premium special bottling called L'Extravagant. I find this to be more true in this vintage than in 2009, when L'Extravagant was also made.

vinous 2010

Rating: 88 –91

Light yellow-gold color. Restrained, subtle aromas of citrus skin, herbs and honey. Silky and pliant, with sound acidity framing the bright flavors of orange blossom, green fig and melon. Finishes smooth and persistent.

vinous 2010

Rating: 93 –96

Bright yellow-gold. Enticing aromas of mango, guava, yellow peach, saffron, minerals and honey, complicated by high-toned botrytis. Rich, dense and almost oily, with intense ripe yellow fruit and honey flavors lifted by firm acidity. The finish boasts outstanding length and a bright lemony touch.

vinous 2010

Rating: 93 –93

The 2010 Doisy-Daëne is missing some complexity on the nose compared to its peers. Melted wax, dried honey and light orange blossom scents, a subtle minty note in the background. The palate is well balanced and shows more pedigree than the aromatics. Good tension here, fine length with a lively finish, this is a fine Sauternes. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

robert_parker 2021

Rating: 94 –94

The 2021 Doisy Daëne stands out for its delightful bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, passion fruit, exotic fruits and spring flowers. Medium-bodied, tense and lively, it’s concentrated for the vintage, with a stunning freshness and a saline finish enhanced by bright acids. While it may not reach the complexity and richness of the most memorable Doisy Daëne vintages, its flawless execution is undeniable.

robert_parker 2022

Rating: 94 –94

With delicate notes of ripe apricot, mango, spices and ripe white peach, the 2022 Doisy Daëne possesses a medium to full-bodied, enrobing and complex palate with a delicately fleshy core of fruit enhanced by bright acids and a long, mineral and fresh finish. This blend of 95% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc is a well-executed classic Barsac with freshness and tension. It should age gracefully over the next 30 years.

robert_parker 2014

Rating: 95 –97

The Château Doisy-Daëne 2014 is bestowed with 144 grams per liter residual sugar and a pH of 3.7. It is much more introspective compared to the Coutet at the moment, perhaps because of less residual, but it is fragrant and ethereal with wild honey, yellow flower and orange blossom scents developing with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with superb tension and fruit intensity on the entry. It is more linear than recent vintages, minerally with a lovely twist of sour lemon imparting tension and vivacity on the crystalline finish. This is a fabulous Doisy-Daëne from Denis Dubourdieu.

robert_parker 2015

Rating: 95 –97

The 2015 Doisy-Daene has a detailed bouquet, very correct, nothing showy or flamboyant as is typical of Denis Dubourdieu's Barsac. The palate is extremely well balanced and very pure: citrus fruit infusing the honeyed botrytis, veins of white peach and quince, leading to a very precise and sustained finish that leaves you with a smile on your face...and the wine ain't even finished yet! Just a wonderful wine - full of class and nascent joie-de-vivre. Chapeau Denis!

robert_parker 2006

Rating: 93 –93

Tasted at the Sauternes 2006 ten-year on horizontal in Bordeaux. The 2006 Doisy-Daene has a mature colour. The nose offers dried honey, pineapple and mango scents, and then a touch of adhesive developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with good tension on the entry. There is great vigor here, a killer line of acidity with hints of barley sugar and dried pineapple towards the finish. This is an excellent Barsac. Tasted April 2016.

robert_parker 1998

Rating: 93 –93

The 1998 Doisy Daëne is medium gold in color. Wow—this is a real honey-nut bomb on the nose with gorgeous orange marmalade and preserved apricot notes in the background plus a kick of ginger. Big, rich, full and powerful in the mouth, it's sporting a lot of evolution, but it still has loads to give.

robert_parker 2009

Rating: 95 –95

Pale gold in color, the 2009 Doisy Daëne features expressive notes of honeyed lemons, dried mango slices, apricot tart and Seville orange marmalade with a touch of shaved almonds. The palate delivers mouth-filling stone fruit and citrus preserves layers with great purity and a lively backbone, finishing wonderfully zesty and youthful.

robert_parker 2016

Rating: 94 –94

Pale lemon in color, the 2016 Doisy Daëne leaps from the glass with flamboyant tropical fruit notions of warm pineapple, guava and passion fruit plus hints of lime cordial, fungi, musk perfume and chalk dust. The palate has loads of earthy/savory layers with great concentration and depth, finishing long and lively.

robert_parker 2018

Rating: 92 –94

Pale lemon-gold colored, the 2018 Doisy Daëne bursts from the glass with vibrant mango, green guava and pink grapefruit notes plus hints of honeycomb, peach blossoms and almond croissant. The palate has bags of freshness and energy with a lovely silken texture and long finish.

robert_parker 2012

Rating: 90 –92

The 2012 Doisy-Daene has a light bouquet of honeysuckle and elderflower that presently does not possess the same minerality and race as recent vintages. But still, with patience the nascent wine gains vigor in the glass and offers pleasant dried honey aromas. The palate is much more convincing, with a lively opening with a wonderful seam of citric acidity, precise orange zest and marmalade notes with a hint of spice toward the finish. This is not a complex Doisy-Daene, but it has overcome the challenges of the growing season to offer a delightful Barsac. Bravo professeur!

robert_parker 2013

Rating: 93 –95

Denis Dubourdieu has a created a fine Doisy-Daene, with attractive white peach and honeysuckle on the precise bouquet, which exudes wonderful transparency. The palate is very well-defined with fine acidity, the oak deftly integrated. It gradually builds in the mouth: harmonious and refined with great composure towards the long and satisfying finish. This is one of the finest Barsac wines of the vintage.

robert_parker 2002

Rating: 88 –88

Space limitations preclude including tasting notes. 2002 was an average vintage.

robert_parker 2005

Rating: 91 –91

A sleeper of the vintage. No tasting note given.

robert_parker 1997

Rating: 89 –89

This The impressive bottling offers a moderately intense nose of coconuts intermixed with smoke, cherries, and honeyed lemons and pineapples. There is outstanding purity, gorgeous fruit, seemingly low acidity, and an excellent fat, fleshy finish. This wine may merit an outstanding score if it develops more complexity. (No tasting note was provided in Issue 128. We have instead included the text of the tasting note from Issue 122)

robert_parker 2000

Rating: 88 –88

Honeyed pineapple is the dominant aroma and flavor of this light gold-colored 2000. It also reveals good ripeness, plenty of fruit, and an unctuous texture. Anticipated maturity: Now-2011.

robert_parker 1990

Rating: 91 –91

The 1990 regular cuvee is revealing far more complexity and richness than it did in the past. It is a bold, opulent, exquisite example of Barsac, with more richness and intensity than I have encountered in previous vintages of Doisy-Daene. Light to medium gold-colored, with a honeyed, botrytised nose, huge amounts of alcohol and power, and a heady finish, the wine possesses just enough acidity to balance out its bold flavors and forcefulness. Drink it over the next 15+ years. Last tasted 11/94

robert_parker 1989

Rating: 89 –89

The 1989 exhibits plenty of honeyed ripe fruit, a more elegant personality, fine richness, chunkiness and depth, full body, and low acidity. It does not reveal the botrytis found in the 1990 or 1988. Last tasted 11/94

robert_parker 1988

Rating: 89 –89

The 1988 is the lightest of these wines, with medium body, and a fragrant pineapple, peach, and apple-scented nose, with a honeysuckle component that adds complexity. The wine is crisp, dry, and ideal for drinking now and over the next 10 years. Last tasted 11/94

robert_parker 1986

Rating: 88 –88

While less viscous and chewy than the 1983, this is still an admirably rich, husky, intense Barsac with vividly pure, well-focused fruit, full body, and a long, honeyed finish. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 3/90.

robert_parker 1985

Rating: 82 –82

I could find no evidence of botrytis in this wine that comes across as relatively fat, uncomplex, and straightforward. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/90

robert_parker 1983

Rating: 90 –90

Doisy-Daene finished its harvest 1 month after d’Yquem, and has possibly produced this property's finest wine in over two decades. A big, ripe bouquet of pineapples, peaches, and spring flowers is very attractive. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, full bodied, and unctuous, without being too heavy or alcoholic. Excellent acidity suggests a long, eventful evolution. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 3/90.

robert_parker 1982

Rating: 82 –82

One of the better 1982s, ripe and fruity, with the taste of fresh oranges, this medium-bodied Doisy-Daene has good length, a fresh, lemony acidity, moderate sweetness, and a solid finish. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/87.

robert_parker 1981

Rating: 78 –78

Somewhat light, and perhaps dominated by oak to an extreme, this fruity, soft, moderately concentrated wine has little botrytis, and a short finish. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 1/85.

robert_parker 1980

Rating: 82 –82

Surprisingly advanced on the nose, the 1980 Doisy-Daene has a light golden color, an aromatic floral- and pineapple-scented bouquet, soft, moderately sweet, fat, plump flavors, and just enough acidity to keep the wine from feeling heavy. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 6/84.

robert_parker 1979

Rating: 84 –84

A tightly knit, restrained rendition of Doisy-Daene, the 1979 exhibits very good ripeness, a rich, full-bodied texture, plenty of vanillin, oaky aromas, and good acidity. Anticipated maturity: Now-2000. Last tasted, 11/85.

robert_parker 1978

Rating: 83 –83

Not a terribly impressive vintage, this wine made from grapes picked very late in November displays less intensity than the 1979, but has an elegant, fruity, spicy nose, firm, sweet flavors, and good, firm acidity. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 6/84.

robert_parker 1996

Rating: 86 –86

This is a stylish, mineral-laden, moderately sweet wine with mid-weight, honeyed complexity, and a fresh, lively finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.