Six bottles of 1953 Château Doisy Daëne landed on the Arden list recently.
A Sauternes-loving client took three bottles and very generously offered to open one with me at our office in Brook Street.
No pressure… 😰
Until the 1840s, Doisy was a single estate but was subsequently divided into three: Château Doisy Daëne, Château Doisy-Védrines, and Château Doisy-Dubroca.
“Daëne” is apparently a French corruption of “Deane”, the English owner of the then undivided Château Doisy.
Doisy Daëne is pure Sémillon – no Sauvignon or Muscadelle here – and is known for its “peaches and cream” character.
This 1953 comes from a lovely, stylish Sauternes vintage.
The nearly 70-year old cork came out without too much trouble, even if it came out in sections 😬. All good.
The wine retained a beautiful ochre-yellow colour, as golden as a winter sunrise.
It was honeyed, fragrant, and remarkably fresh, with very little (if any) oxidation apparent.
The drier than expected finish shone like – and was as smooth as – satin.
The 1953 Château Doisy Daëneis an outstanding example of aged Sauternes and great value for money.
Only three left – but I might have drunk them by the time you read this… 😋
