2014 Chateau Doisy Daene Bordeaux Blanc 750 ml

A Titan’s Swan Song

The world of wine lost a true giant on July 26, 2016, with the passing of Denis Dubourdieu. Born into the business at his family’s château in Barsac, the passion for wine coursed through Denis’ veins all of his too-short life. He struck out from the family nest at Château Doisy Daëne fresh out of university, determined to land the winemaking job at Château Latour — and was immediately turned down. Instead of turning tail to head back to the comforts of the family château, Denis pressed on and over the next four decades became one of the most accomplished and respected names in the world of wine.

His achievements are too many to do justice here. But a quick skim of just the highlights gives some indication of Denis Dubourdieu’s profound impact. Winemaking consultant at Château d’ Yquem, Cheval Blanc, and Château Margaux. More than 200 research papers that collectively have been cited over 7,000 times. Founding the world’s most influential wine research center, Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin, at the Université de Bordeaux. Just last year, recognized with France’s highest honor, the red ribbon of L’ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur, as well as Decanter’s Man of the Year award. And, perhaps his most lasting influence, the legions of winemakers in Bordeaux and around the world trained and inspired by his example.

We’ll never forget the electric buzz of anticipation filling rooms full of otherwise chattering wine professionals, and then the pin-drop silence when Professor Dubourdieu was about to speak.

It is some level of understatement to say the world of wine is a better place because Denis Dubourdieu persisted after his first failure, and did not just sulk back to work his family’s Château Doisy Daëne. But today especially, we’re glad that the professor never forgot his roots, and returned to the fields he ran as a boy to make signature wines at Doisy Daëne.

In the Barsac sub-appellation of Sauternes, Château Doisy Daëne has been in the Dubourdieu family since 1924. For nearly a century, the château has been recognized for producing one of the finest sweet wines in all of Bordeaux. A bit less known is their 100% Sauvignon Blanc dry white Bordeaux, which Denis brought to his level of excellence after taking the reins at Doisy Daëne from his father in 2000.

The soil composition in Barsac is perfect for the cultivation of Sauvignon Blanc. The “Barsac red sands” unique to the Bordeaux region is a thin layer of sand atop a chalky, limestone subsoil — perfect for producing Sauvignon Blanc with elegance and a distinguished mineral crunchiness.

Pale yellow color with pure aromas of white peach, apricot, lemon, green fig, and grapefruit. A rich palate, though very dry, with balanced stone fruit and citrus flavors. The finish is crisp, fresh, and persistent with a long aftertaste of lemons and herbs. Drink now to 2025.

It is our honor and distinct pleasure to offer one of Denis Dubourdieu’s last vintages here today at WineAccess. The world of wine is a better place for his contributions. He was a master at his trade and his specialty was white Bordeaux. We feel the 2014 Château Doisy-Däene Bordeaux Blanc is one of his finished achievements. 93 points from Wine Spectator, today for only $24.99. Fin