Chateau Closiot, 'Le C de Sec' Barsac Blanc

Wine Type: White

Grape(s): Sémillon

Country: France

Region: Barsac, Bordeaux

Organic: No

Vegan: No

ABV: 13%

Winemaker: Belgians Jean-Marie Guffens and partner Maine Heynen are politely known as Flemish mavericks having moved to the Mâcon in the mid-1970s and learnt the ropes working for growers in the area. Over the last decade or so, they have expanded their vinous enterprises with the purchase of Château Closiot in Barsac in 2017. Style-wise, they are meticulous in the vineyards picking at optimum maturity while preserving freshness and acidity.

Tasting Notes: From the heartland of Bordeaux’s famous sweet wines (Barsac and Sauternes), this dry white has an aromatic lime flower bouquet with ripe stone-fruit notes and a zesty marmalade edge. Rich yet dry, it has lovely length and texture with a top note of vanilla on the finish.

Winemaking: Colourful Burgundian winemaking legend Jean-Marie Guffens is world-renowned for his Mâcon. But this white wine named 'Le 'C' de Sec' from his Château Closiot in Barsac is a dry white late-harvest Bordeaux from almost overripe Sémillon grapes which are picked just before Noble Rot sets in. Given the full gamut of flavours and intensity from concentrated late-harvested fruit, this almost-forgotten style is incredibly food-friendly with a level of freshness that makes it ideal for umami-rich dishes.

Known for picking late but with several passes through the vineyards to pick at optimum maturity, Jean-Marie Guffens’ style combines ripeness with freshness and minerality – these wines are fleshy and voluptuous but with a core streak of acidity and minerality that gives energy and verve to the ripe stone-fruit.

Food Pairing: Pairs wonderfully with poultry, oysters, seafood dishes as well as Thai food.