This Week's Tasting
Jean-Jacques Dubourdieu
October 21, 2026
This was an exciting, informative tasting, a virtual master class in producing wines from Graves, Pessac, and Sauternes.
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This Week Wednesday, October 21, 2026 Jean-Jacques Dubourdieu In-store, 5 - 6:30pm
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This was an exciting, informative tasting, a virtual master class in producing wines from Graves, Pessac, and Sauternes.
With a family history of growing vines in the area since the French Revolution, Domain Denis Dubourdieu now comprises 6 châteaux. Denis himself was a professor of enology at the University of Bordeaux and was renowned as one of the best wine consultants in the region. In my experience, his wines were more nuanced and respectful of an estate’s terroir than those of some other famous wine consultants.
After his untimely death in 2016, his sons took over the running of the domaine. We are very pleased to welcome Jean Jacques Dubourdieu, who will conduct our tasting this Wednesday. Le Monde, Paris’s New York Times, praised him for continuing the “exceptional” work of his father at the same time as he put his own imprint on the wines.
He will present the first wines from Clos Floridene (NOT a reference to Florida), a Graves property with a reputation for smoothly made, very attractive, moderately priced wines. The white, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, has particularly received much praise for its richness, smooth texture, and drinkability. The Cabernet-based red has a similar suaveness and elegance.
We will finish with the family's flagship estate, the sweet Barsac (in Sauternes) second growth cru classe Ch. Doisy Daene. Over its 100-year tenure, the family has raised its quality above its classification. Critics have raved about it, particularly the 2022 vintage that we will taste.
Jean Jacques will present other wines from tour sponsors the Pessac-Léognan region.
White
2022 Clos Floridene Blanc Graves
James Molworth Wine Spectator “Offers good energy, with generous thyme, verbena and lemon gelée notes bouncing through. Reveals subtle fleur de sel echoes, which add underlying tension on the finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2026. $35, Case $30
2021 Ch. Couhins Lurton Blanc Pessac Leognan
Neal Martin Vinous a fresh bouquet with apple blossom, persimmon and crushed stone scents that gain intensity in the glass. The palate is well-balanced and fresh, with a citrus peel entry and a vibrant, harmonious finish that urges you back for another sip. Chapeau!” $59, Case $51
2021 Ch Malartic la Graviere Blanc
Georgina Hindle Decanter “Green and red apple, pear, caramel, brioche and toasted lemon tart. You can feel they achieved good ripeness in the weight and density on the palate - it's not overly rich but can take the oak elements, delivering a more nuanced and sophisticated style this year that's not just fresh and fruity, but also weighty and textured. You get the crushed stone and cooling mint effect on the tongue as well as the peach, plum, and green apple crispness. A sharp tang on the finish is thrilling, accentuating the life and vibrancy you get the whole way through. Less overtly acidic than some, it's more in the background while the other more nuanced details sit on top. A lovely wine this year, lots to like with all the necessary elements to age$68, Case $58
Red
2020 Clos Floridene Rouge Graves
Jancis Robinson Deep purple as is the Dubourdieu way in 2020. Real freshness and zest on the nose. Remarkable sweetness of fruit followed by really dry tannins on the end. Salty and savoury.
Jeff Leve Savory edged, bright, spicy, red plums and currants on the nose lead you to the vibrant, chewy, lifted, red berry-filled, medium-bodied palate with its dusty tannins in the finish. Drink from 2023-2032 $32, Case $28
2017 Domaine du Chevalier Rouge
Georgina Hindle Decanter 2023 “Heady and perfumed, dark fruits, expressive and full on the nose. Clean and clear, ripe, but graceful, I love the delicacy yet depth, intensity of juice and fleshiness but altogether lean and straight profile. Keeps the focus and tension, great drinkability and lovely spiced edges - cinnamon, toast, liquorice, dark chocolate and cedar, all soft, barely there but accent the wine. Could drink this now but will continue to age really well. Precise and fun, controlled and characterful. Not trying too hard but still with signature. Great push of blackcurrant and plum and cherry fruit, cola, blueberries. Nicely shaped with verve. A lovely, accessible and easy-to-enjoy bottle $117, Case $100
1975 Ch. Latour Martillac Pessac-Léognan
No recent notes. We shall tasste $95, Case $81
Sweet
2022 Doisy Daene Barsac, Sauternes
Georgina Hindle Decanter “Lively and energetic, a lifted expression with bitter orange peel countering the pineapple and mango fruit. Lovely complexity and construction, an unctuous, almost sherbet mid-palate, which then becomes more mineral and focused. Feels well worked with lots of life and definition as well as richness. Lots to like here. Half Bottle $45, Case $39
Len Rothenberg
Mix any twelve at their case prices
Attendees at the tasting can purchase any at its case price
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
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