2005 Doux Blanc

Doux Blanc is a blend of Semillon. Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling picked in early May. About 10% of the grapes were affected by the Noble Rot, Botrytis Cineria, but they were all raisened and concentrated in flavour and intensity to the point where only about one third of the tonnage, which would have been picked at normal maturity, was harvested. The wine is sweet and luscious but has a clean, acid finish and does not leave a sticky, sweet aftertaste as some wines of this style tend to. It is Barsac style rather than a Sauternes; a Chateau Coutet rather than a Chateau Yquem.