| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Bordeaux (White) |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
Jean-Marie Guffens of White Burgundy fame recently bought Chateau Closiot in Barsac and is now producing a dry white wine there called C de Sec. The breakthrough vintage was the 2020 which received a rave review in the Wine Advocate. None was produced in 2021.
In 2023 Jean-Marie decided not to make any sweet wine because there was not enough botrytis and instead he focussed on making this impressive dry wine which he is sure is the best that he has produced here so far. It is made from a blend of 80% Semillon with 20% Sauvignon Gris. The vineyard was picked in three different "tris" over a three week period. The wine is aged 100% in barrel and will be bottled with screwcaps
The 2023 Le C du Sec du Château Closiot, a 100% Sémillon wine that underwent malolactic fermentation and matured in one-quarter new barrels, reveals aromas of ripe orchard fruits, baked pear, vanilla pod, white fruits, lemon and spices. It is medium to full-bodied, with a textural and layered palate that includes a fleshy core of fruit, bright acids and a deep, concentrated mid-palate, concluding with a long, chalky and tense finish. Crafted by Jean-Marie Guffens, this promising wine offers a broad drinking window, indicating its potential for both immediate enjoyment and aging.
No sweet wine was produced at Chateau Closiot in Barsac in 2023 because of the lack of botrytis. Jean-Marie decided to make a regular Chateau Closiot Bordeaux Blanc from the younger vines and, from his best vines, he believes that he has made the best C de Sec so far. This wine was picked in three separate 'tris' over a three week period and is composed of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Gris. He describes it as being "rich and exotic with extraordinary length yet dry and mineral from the limestone terroir." The colour is already a vivid, pale gold. The nose is wild, complex and powerful with spice box, confit lemon and more exotic pineapple fruit. Poached pears, yellow apples and citric tang come through on a palate laden with multi-dimensional fruit. The tris have clearly given this wine a full array of flavours from grapes harvested at different ripeness levels. Waxy, broad and toasty with oak, this is a texturally rich and dense wine, balance by surprisingly steely acids. A serious, powerful effort, this is a true grand vin in 2023.
