| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Bordeaux (White) |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
Jean-Marie Guffens of White Burgundy fame recently bought Château Closiot in Barsac (right next door to Coutet) 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, as did the 2023. The 2022 vintage comfortably beat all-comers in the Southwold group blind tasting to score highest in the "dry wines of Sauternes" flight. Ygrec came second.
In 2025 Jean-Marie picked the vineyard in three "tris" over the space of a month - inspired by Yquem and as he does at Domaine Guffens-Heynen. The first "tri" with potential alcohol of 12.5%, the second 13.5% and third with some grapes up to 18%. These were then blended together and vinified dry. The cépage is mainly Sémillon with about 10-20% Sauvignon Gris. Elevage was in the Burgundian style - all in barrel with 25% new oak for nine months. To be bottled in July 2026. Production 1,000 dozen bottles. To be sealed with screwcaps to preserve the freshness. Maybe the best - and certainly the best value - dry white wine in the region.
In 2025 Jean-Marie made a regular Château Closiot Bordeaux Blanc from the younger vines and, from his best vines, he produced this excellent C de Sec. The grapes were picked in three separate 'tris' over a month at different levels of ripeness and it is composed of mainly Semillon with a little Sauvignon Gris. The yield was an extremely low 18 hl/hectare and Jean-Marie describes it as having the density of a sweet wine, but without the sugar. Maturation all in barrel with 25% new oak. Production 1000 cases. Bright lemon in colour with light reduction on the nose, this is chock full of fruit and spice, with subtle wood, sweet mandarin and tangy lemon all on show. The palate feels Burgundian, unfurling with a rich texture and tangy acids in equal measure. Bold, bright and layered, there is real density here, with waxy apples and pears, ripe white peaches and salty preserved lemons all on show. There is a hint of ginger and saffron, a suggestion of botrytis. The weight and intensity is so impressive for a wine at this price point. Smoky and layered, this is a complete, powerful wine. It is very youthful now, but it looks a worthy successor to the excellent 2023 here.
In the new 2026 Michelin ranking of Bordeaux Chateaux, Closiot received a Michelin Star putting it alongside some of the greatest names of the region.
