Viniou Reviews
Château Doms Blanc 2021 from the Graves AOC in Bordeaux is a classic dry white wine that epitomises the refined character of this renowned appellation. Typically crafted from a blend dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, often complemented with Sémillon and occasionally a touch of Muscadelle, this wine offers a harmonious interplay between freshness and complexity. The 2021 vintage, marked by a relatively cool and challenging growing season in Bordeaux, has yielded whites with pronounced aromatic intensity, vibrant acidity, and a linear mineral structure. While precise details about Château Doms’ blend and vinification are not stated, Graves whites are traditionally fermented and aged in stainless steel or neutral oak to maintain their crisp character, highlighting citrus, white flower, and subtle herbal notes underpinned by a refreshing minerality.
Graves is distinguished within Bordeaux for producing both excellent reds and whites thanks to its unique sandy-gravel soils, which lend the wines pronounced elegance and a mineral streak. The region’s temperate maritime climate, moderated by the nearby Atlantic Ocean and the Garonne River, helps maintain freshness and balance in the grapes, while the gravelly soils facilitate excellent drainage and impart a distinct flinty character to the wines. Historically, Graves is Bordeaux’s oldest wine-growing zone and has a reputation for whites that are both aromatic and age-worthy, combining the sauvignon’s zesty liveliness with the roundness of sémillon.
For food pairings, Château Doms Blanc 2021 would shine alongside delicately flavoured seafood such as oysters, scallops, or grilled prawns, where its bright acidity and citrus notes act as a natural complement. It also marries beautifully with white fish in beurre blanc, fresh goat’s cheese, and regional dishes like Bordeaux’s iconic entrecôte à la bordelaise, especially when served with a herbaceous salsa verde. Lighter poultry or vegetable risotto with fresh herbs would also find good harmony with this wine.
For optimal enjoyment, serve Château Doms Blanc 2021 nicely chilled, ideally between 8 and 10°C, to best appreciate its aromatic purity, lively palate, and mineral-driven finish. Allowing the wine a few minutes in the glass will help it reveal its full range of aromas.
