En Primeur The feature of this wine is clearly its menthol-fresh brightness and spring flowers aromas. Probably all this comes, rather like at La Tour Blanche, partly from the particularly fresh nature of the 15% Sauvignon, partly from the soil structure. At 140 g/l, the wine is certainly very rich and this sweetness almost – but doesn’t quite – smother these fine aromas. So the wine is a combination of extreme fragrance with quite extreme concentration: rich yet fresh, strong yet gentle. Bill Blatch

Wine Spectator – Feb 2012 94 Pts: Richly layered and detailed, but thoroughly mouthwatering, this lets lacy citrus, floral and white peach flavours meld into a core of quince, fig and persimmon fruit, while warm piecrust and honey roasted almond notes drive through the finish. Very long, with superb cut despite its power. Best from 2015 through 2032. En Primeur 92-95 Pts: Shows lots of lemon pie and almond spice, with hints of bitter lemon. Full-bodied, with a nutmeg and honey finish. Racy.

Decanter –16.5 Pts: The opposite style (as always) of Barsac than Doisy-Daëne, slightly less pale, heavier pear and apricot aromas, rounder, more oily texture, great length too, less harmonious finish but great stuff for the ageing.

Jancis Robinson – Oct 2011 16 Pts: A little sugary. I could do with more acidity and depth. Chewy. Pretty simple. En Primeur 15.5 Pts: Pale straw. Rather simple sweet aromas. And a bit of alcohol on the finish. Pear drops rather than pear juice – not a good trade. Definitely one of the less complex 2009 sweet white Bordeaux. Fades a bit fast. Drink 2015-2025

Wine Advocate 92-94 Pts: This is comparatively timid on the nose, giving very little away at the moment despite rigorous coaxing. But the palate is very promising, very well balanced, very focused with a fine citrus attack on the entry, fanning out towards an apricot, white peach and lime tinged finish that shows a great deal of unctuous honeyed fruit on the finish. This is an exuberant Doisy-Vedrines that yearns to offer pleasure.

NB Wine lying in Bordeaux - please allow at least 4 weeks for delivery.