Barsac
Barsac is one of the communes of the Sauternes appellation. With marginally flatter land and soils of red sand and light gravels, it adjoins the northern boundary of the commune of Sauternes. There are just over 800 hectares under vine, producing nearly two million bottles in an average year. Stylistically the wines are arguably a little lighter in style than those of Sauternes.
Barsac is one of the communes of the Sauternes appellation (along with Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes itself). With marginally flatter land and soils of red sand and light gravels, the commune adjoins the northern boundary of the commune of Sauternes, separated by the Ciron River, whose cold waters are so instrumental in producing the region's necessary autumn fogs.
There are just over 800 hectares under vine, producing nearly two million bottles in an average year. The châteaux can choose to sell their wine under either the Sauternes or the Barsac appellation, but stylistically the wines are arguably a little lighter in style than those of Sauternes.
The leading producers are Châteaux Climens and Coutet, with Châteaux Nairac, Doisy-Daëne and Doisy-Vedrines making good value, attractive wines.
Hide All Details
Prices:
Case price (H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl)
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl42cs
£140.88
H/Bottle
£17.00
Case price (24)
£368.40
Saving
£39.60
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl8cs
£140.40
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl100cs
£135.00
See All Listings
Drink now,
Ch. Coutet is one of the largest Barsac properties and has been owned by the Baly family since 1977. Classified as a Sauternes Premier Cru Classé, Coutetis located in the south of the appellation. The wines are aromatically complex and lusciously concentrated.
Ch. Coutet’s 1996 is drinking beautifully at the moment. Spice and vanilla are integrated with ripe, honeyed and even candied fruit flavours on the nose. Time has lent a caramelised, toffee-apple edge. The palate is unctuous, intense, but still has a rush of acidity to balance the sweetness. Truly delicious.
Ch. Coutet’s 1996 is drinking beautifully at the moment. Spice and vanilla are integrated with ripe, honeyed and even candied fruit flavours on the nose. Time has lent a caramelised, toffee-apple edge. The palate is unctuous, intense, but still has a rush of acidity to balance the sweetness. Truly delicious.
Case price (H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl)
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl2cs
£311.76
See All Listings
Case price (H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl)
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl5cs
£311.76
See All Listings
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£222.00
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl1cs
£285.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£285.00
See All Listings
Bottle
£29.50
Case price (12)
£303.60
Saving
£50.40
Bottle 12 x 75cl46cs
£226.92
See All Listings
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£240.00
See All Listings
Ready, but will improve,
The Coutet 2009 is a sensational effort from Philippe Baly and his team. It has a fragrant nose of honey, vervain tea, pineapple, frangipane and apple-blossom, well defined if needing a little more vigour at the moment. The palate is vibrant on the entry, touches of apricot and orange peel, very focused and tensile towards the long, sensuous, viscous finish. It has the same minerality exuded by DoisyDaene and reminds me of a stellar 1962 tasted just a few weeks previously. A magnificent Coutet.
Neal Martin - Wine Advocate - April 2010
Neal Martin - Wine Advocate - April 2010
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl6cs
£225.00
See All Listings
Bottle
£50.00
Case price (12)
£549.48
Saving
£50.52
Bottle 12 x 75cl7cs
£431.88
New To BBX
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl1cs
£260.00
See All Listings
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl15cs
£249.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
£240.00
See All Listings
Drink now,
Ch. Doisy-Daëne is a Deuxième Cru Classé Barsac estate that produces quintessential Barsac with the emphasis on finesse, poise and elegance, rather than power and force. The property has been in the expert hands of the legendary Dubourdieu family since 2000.
This is pristine stock sourced and shipped direct from the château in 2014. The levels and appearance are excellent when you consider it is now 40 years old. Like many distinguished, elderly Sauternes, it has shed some of its richness but still packs a punch in both content and intensity. There is more today of the caramel and dried fruit side, rather than those marmalade notes more typical of younger Sauternes and Barsacs. It tastes exquisite on its own, and would make a very fine match with well-chosen, not too sweet, puddings, or perhaps best simply with some dried fruit.
This is pristine stock sourced and shipped direct from the château in 2014. The levels and appearance are excellent when you consider it is now 40 years old. Like many distinguished, elderly Sauternes, it has shed some of its richness but still packs a punch in both content and intensity. There is more today of the caramel and dried fruit side, rather than those marmalade notes more typical of younger Sauternes and Barsacs. It tastes exquisite on its own, and would make a very fine match with well-chosen, not too sweet, puddings, or perhaps best simply with some dried fruit.
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Ex-Chateau
Bottle 6 x 75cl29cs
£352.50
See All Listings
Case price (H/Bottle 1 x 37.5cl)
H/Bottle 1 x 37.5cl52cs
£131.99
See All Listings
Case price (Magnum 1 x 150cl)
Magnum 1 x 150cl1cs
£467.00
H/Bottle 1 x 37.5cl1cs
£140.00
See All Listings
Ready, but will keep,
Rich, bitter orange and apricot nose. Pretty viscous considering the lower RS but lovely tangy acidity. Long, full of spiced barley sugar flavours, but with a slightly abrupt finish, perhaps a slight phenolic grip combined with the high acidity. Bags of character.
Julia Harding - Jancis Robinson, 13th May 2009
Julia Harding - Jancis Robinson, 13th May 2009
Case price (Asx12 btl 1 x 900cl)
Asx12 btl 1 x 900cl14cs
£670.00
See All Listings
For laying down,
Nothing better than a fresh glass of Sauternes!! Every time I have one I just think “why do I not have this more often!!”. Following from great 2001-2005-2009-2010 the 2011 is yet again a very strong Sauternes vintage and Doisy Daene is one of the best when it comes to the combination of both elegance and freshness. Although sweet it is one of these wines that drinks effortlessly. Lovely perfumed sweet nose, pineapples and peach. A touch sweeter than usual for this wine but extremely well balanced and lovely fresh elegant long finish.
Max Lalondrelle, Berrys’ Fine Wine Buying Director
Max Lalondrelle, Berrys’ Fine Wine Buying Director
See All Listings
For laying down,
One of the stars of the sweet wines this year and seemingly indicative of a strong showing for the commune of Barsac. The bouquet is truly a thing of beauty, with pure, vivid aromas of citrus peel, apricot and honey. The palate is again wonderfully pure and clean, and the length, albeit with lowish acidity, impressive. The sweetness is very clean and not at all cloying.
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl1cs
£230.00
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl1cs
£250.00
New To BBX
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl1cs
£270.00
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl1cs
£275.00
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl1cs
£400.00
New To BBX
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£250.00
See All Listings
See All Listings
For laying down,
Picked in just two tries, 90% picked in one trie, tasting through 13 separate lots, the core components of a great Climens appear to be in place. Paying particular attention to the lots that constitute a large percentage of the blend (usually around 15%) the common themes are ones of great purity, persistency and precision.
The aromatics display pure honey, minerals, occasionally a faint scent of spearmint and white peach, most with spellbinding precision. On the palate, Berenice Lurton has some stupendous lots at her disposal, with ample botrytis, ethereal definition, one or two more powerful, quite spicy lots and others that are shorter and will undoubtedly lend the blend an acidic cut. It will be a joy to taste this after bottling.
Neal Martin - Wine Advocate - April 2010
The aromatics display pure honey, minerals, occasionally a faint scent of spearmint and white peach, most with spellbinding precision. On the palate, Berenice Lurton has some stupendous lots at her disposal, with ample botrytis, ethereal definition, one or two more powerful, quite spicy lots and others that are shorter and will undoubtedly lend the blend an acidic cut. It will be a joy to taste this after bottling.
Neal Martin - Wine Advocate - April 2010
See All Listings
See All Listings
Ready, but will keep,
Ripe, sweet and very well-balanced, the 2009 Doisy-Védrines has wonderfully intense orange marmalade and honeysuckle notes, partly as a result of the high concentration of botrytis that develops on the very old vines of this estate. The fruit was picked over five separate days in the vineyard, resulting in a clean, pure wine of great poise with a long, honeyed finish.
See All Listings
See All Listings
Drink now,
Bottled for us by one of our favourite Sauternes estates, Ch. Doisy-Védrines, this is a sumptuous example of this ageless style of wine. Blessed with ancient vines, the fruit here is often subject to high levels of Botrytis (or noble rot), which shrinks the grapes and concentrates sugar levels in the remaining juice. The result is a wine of honeyed sweetness, with rapier-like acidity and a wonderful lightness of touch. Serve chilled, with a salty Roquefort and carefully chosen friends. With a focus on provenance, these superlative bottles are classified by commune and highlight the fruitful collaborations between the producers and buyers, creating wines with superb finesse.. Whether from Pomerol or Meusault, Barolo or Gevrey-Chambertin, the design of each label references its region of origin, prominently displaying both the name of the estate and the signature of the buyer.
New To BBX
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl1cs
£150.00
See All Listings
See All Listings
For laying down,
This is a jaw-droppingly good Climens that may just turn out to be the best they have ever made. With 100% Sémillon and, as ever, the epitome of delicacy, finesse and complexity, it is utterly sensational - possibly even better than d'Yquem itself. It has amazing depth and richness yet remains wonderfully vibrant, leaving magical flavours of sweet orange blossom in the mouth. Owner Bérénice Lurton has produced some fabulous wines from this celebrated Barsac estate in recent years but her 2007 is truly sublime. Buy as much of this as you can.
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl2cs
£1,295.00
See All Listings
For laying down,
In 2013 only 2500 cases will be made (half the production of the last few abundant years and a fraction of the production of Ch. d’Yquem), but the final blend is not decided until early summer. Each barrel shows its individual character, but all had in common an energy, focus, persistence, depth and precision that makes this one of the wines of the vintage. The ethereal quality that I consider the hallmark of a great Climens was already noticeable as was an intense perfumed fragrance, which is the hallmark of the 2013 vintage. 2013 Climens is a jewel in the making and though its subtle elegance will make this approachable young, it has decades of ageing and evolving ahead.
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl1cs
£249.00
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl2cs
£270.00
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl1cs
£300.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
£300.00
See All Listings
Ready, but will improve,
Anybody who has tasted the sensational 1989 Doisy-Védrines will want to snap up the equally good 2007 in an instant. As well as being one of the sweetest wines of the vintage it is exceptionally elegant and well-balanced. The nose is marked by intense, icy-cool tropical citrus while the rich yet fresh palate has wonderfully pure, sweet creamy pineapple fruit, plenty of botrytis and fine balancing acidity. The finish is incredibly long and precise. Made from 95% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc, this is a magically sensual Sauternes at an outstanding price.
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl1cs
£450.00
See All Listings
Ready, but will keep,
Owner and winemaker Olivier Castéja says that the direction the wind is blowing at harvest is a good indication of the quality of the vintage; if you can hear the train it signifies that the wind is blowing from the west and conditions are likely to be dry, if you can hear the motorway to the east, then bad weather could be on its way. Fortunately in 2008, the only sound to be heard during the harvest was the train clattering along the railway track to the west, and the weather was warm, fine and dry throughout.
Exceptionally low yields (just 15 hl/ha) have resulted in ripe apricot and honeysuckle flavours with juicy, dried apricot fruit and a glorious, glycerol texture. This is elegant and fine with lovely crisp acidity in perfect balance with the sugar. Just a smidgen off the incredible 2007 perhaps, but a thoroughly fine addition to your cellar all the same.
Exceptionally low yields (just 15 hl/ha) have resulted in ripe apricot and honeysuckle flavours with juicy, dried apricot fruit and a glorious, glycerol texture. This is elegant and fine with lovely crisp acidity in perfect balance with the sugar. Just a smidgen off the incredible 2007 perhaps, but a thoroughly fine addition to your cellar all the same.
Exceptionally low yields (just 15 hl/ha) have resulted in ripe apricot and honeysuckle flavours with juicy, dried apricot fruit and a glorious, glycerol texture. This is elegant and fine with lovely crisp acidity in perfect balance with the sugar. Just a smidgen off the incredible 2007 perhaps, but a thoroughly fine addition to your cellar all the same.
Exceptionally low yields (just 15 hl/ha) have resulted in ripe apricot and honeysuckle flavours with juicy, dried apricot fruit and a glorious, glycerol texture. This is elegant and fine with lovely crisp acidity in perfect balance with the sugar. Just a smidgen off the incredible 2007 perhaps, but a thoroughly fine addition to your cellar all the same.
See All Listings
Ready, but will keep,
This is another mouthwateringly good effort from Ch. Coutet. One of the classics of the region Coutet has once again provided a model of elegance and balance and style in 2005. Discreet and stylish, the fine pale colour and graceful, aromatic floral bouquet are supported by a beautifully harmonious palate of pure sweet citrus, peach and honeysuckle. As with the finest red wines of the vintage, the class really shows on the finish, which is intense, complex and exceptionally long. A wonderful Sauternes for the true connoisseur.
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl1cs
£690.00
See All Listings
Ready, but will keep,
This delightful golden sweetie will provide the perfect pairing to sweet puddings such as Tarte Tatin and blue cheeses like Roquefort. The Chevaliers de Védrines who owned this property for centuries (until 1840) would be proud of the job that the Castéja family have done here. Doisy-Védrines is one of the stars of the 2005 vintage for its sublime elegance, richness and finesse. A terrific, fine, perfumed nose with a lifting touch of botrytis acts as the impressive entrée for a wonderfully pure Sauternes of extraordinary length. The wine is like an immaculately tailored suit on a perfectly formed body. This is highly reminiscent of their truly exceptional 1989.
See All Listings
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£230.00
See All Listings
H/Bottle 24 x 37.5cl1cs
£445.00
See All Listings
Ch. Coutet is really pretty in 2013. It is rather light and more floral than many from this vintage and shows lots of engaging acidity. Focused, showing signs of dried apricots and even a little mango, this is very tasty wine indeed.