Venus La Universal "Dido" Blanc 2023 [WA 94]

Wine Advocate 94 points.

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...LG May 2025.