Dido Blanc 2023
£23.06 (Inc. VAT bot. 75 cl.) / North Ireland
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Dido Blanc had less skin contact, to try to counterbalance the ripeness of the year, something they started in 2022. It's a year with a more generous expression, but there's purity in the wines. They achieved good balance, a very clean nose and a medium-bodied palate with 13.5% alcohol. There's a little more Macabeo, 55%, with 30% Garnacha Blanca and 15% Xarel.lo, mostly from direct pressing. It fermented in foudre and spent a longer time in concrete, around eight months. There's a flinty note, reminiscent of struck match, lots of flowers and herbs and an austere and stony palate. I found it superb, better than previous years. They accidentally found what they were looking for with the direct pressing of the Garnacha...
Features
Type of wine
Pairings
Style
Occasions
Winery
Size
Appellation
Alcohol
14.0%
Grapes
Serving
Between 10ºC and 12ºC
Winemaking
Aged for 10 months in French oak barrels.
Description
When you uncork a bottle of Dido Blanc, you not only release a wine, but a story. The story of Venus La Universal, a winery that understands wine as an expression of the landscape, the climate and the Mediterranean tradition.
In this blend we find Macabeo (50%), Garnacha Blanca (40%) and Cartoixà (10%), three varieties that, together, weave a symphony of flavours. The vineyards are located between Marçà and Falset, in the Montsant DO, with a combination of old and young vines that provide structure and freshness. The chalky soil is the silent soul of the wine: it gives it minerality and longevity.
Winemaking
The production of Dido Blanc is a tribute to patience. Some grapes are macerated on the skins for several days to enhance aromas and texture, while others undergo a more direct fermentation. The wine then rests for 14 months in barrels of different sizes and foudres of 2,500 and 5,000 litres. Finally, a few months in cement give it that final harmony, where fruit, acidity and ageing find their perfect balance.
Taste
From the first sip, Dido Blanc grabs you. It is not a light white that goes unnoticed, it is a full-bodied wine, with a presence that can be felt in every corner of the palate.
Notes of quince, yellow plums and peach appear, enveloping and juicy. A touch of dried fruit, such as toasted almonds, appears in the background, reminiscent of the ageing on lees. The acidity gives it a refreshing touch that invites you to keep drinking.
On the finish, a silky texture and a mineral persistence leave you wanting to refill the glass. Dido Blanc is a white that defies expectations: dense but vibrant, structured but easy to enjoy. In short, a little treasure from Montsant that deserves to be discovered.
Shipping to North Ireland
50% discount on orders over £352.95Estimated transit time: 4-5 working days.
| Bottles | Price | Over £352.95 |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | £11.38 | £5.69 (-£5.69) |
| 7-12 | £15.44 | £7.72 (-£7.72) |
| 13-18 | £21.62 | £10.81 (-£10.81) |
| 19-24 | £29.56 | £14.78 (-£14.78) |
| 25-30 | £34.32 | £17.16 (-£17.16) |
| 31-36 | £38.38 | £19.19 (-£19.19) |
| 37-42 | £46.32 | £23.16 (-£23.16) |
| 43-48 | £50.74 | £25.37 (-£25.37) |
| 49-54 | £57.31 | £28.66 (-£28.66) |
| 55-60 | £61.59 | £30.79 (-£30.79) |
| VAT included | ||
