50% Macabeu, 40% Garnatxa Blanca and 10% Cartoixà (aka Xarel-lo) • sourced from old vines (70 years) on limestone soils • the Macabeu component is vinified as brisat— with 2-week skin contact, the rest is direct-pressed • raised in neutral barrels and 2500-5000L foudres for 14 months
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2022
Country:
Spain
Region:
Catalunya
Appellation:
Montsant
Variety:
Blend - Other
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Practicing Organic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ES-VLU-01-22 | 12/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Tim Atkin, MW
Score
94
Date
2025-02-27
"A wine that seems to go from strength to strength, especially since Sara included a portion of Brisat Macabeo into the mix. Bruised apples, fennel, orchard fruits and chamomile; delicately nutty, fresh and mouth-coating. 2024-2028"
VinePair
Score
92
Date
2025-11-12
"Venus La Universal™s Dido Blanc is made with native grapes sourced from across Catalonia™s mountainous Montsant region, including Macabeu, Garnatxa Blanca, and Cartoixà (a local name for Xarel-lo) from old-vine plots up to 70 years old. A small percentage of the wine is made with skin contact, adding a golden hue and rich, savory element. Flavors of baked apples, preserved lemons, and roasted hazelnuts come through on the deep palate."
Wine Advocate
Score
92+
Date
2024-05-16
"I also tasted the 2022 Dido Blanc, which has more exuberant notes of quince, yellow plums and peach. It's riper, with 13.71% alcohol and lower acidity, and it's a little cloudier and darker in color, a deep golden. The wine is more voluptuous, with more volume, and it has a rounder feeling to it in general."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2023
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
92
Date
2025-11-25
"A delightfully textured, oily, and viscous white, the 2023 Dido blends 50% Macabeu, 40% Garnatxa Blanca, and 10% Cartoixa (Xarello in Catalan), the Macabeu seeing two weeks of skin contact. The vines are older and planted in limestone soils, a rarity in the region outside of the higher reaches of Scala Dei. Neutral oak is used for aging. Gorgeously complex, drink now through 2030."
2023
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2025-11-26
"The 2023 Dido from Montsant blends Macabeu, Garnatxa Blanca and Cartoix…, with brisat-style vinification on the Macabeu. Orange notes, reduction, soft apricot and grated apple open the wine. It is expressive and energetic, with grip, compact freshness and an alcoholic push reflecting the vintage. A flavorful white."
2018
Wine Advocate
Score
93
Date
2018
Wine and Spirits
Score
91
Date
Wine Advocate
Score
93
Date
2024-05-16
"There is a change in the 2021 Dido Blanc. More and more, they like skin-contact whites; so, they have increased the skin contact that started in 2018, and in 2021, they went for the full Monty: some 40% fermented with skins for almost two weeks. They like the wine; the part of Garnacha and Xarel.lo on granite are direct pressing. The wine has a golden color; the profile has changed, and it's more"
Wine Enthusiast
Score
93
Date
2025-08-22
"Satisfying and delicious, full of yellow and white fruits with persistence, just enough weight and generous feeling through the mouth. Practicing organic on older vines in limestone soils. 93 Points " E.C.B."
Wine Spectator
Score
91
Date
2025-10-31
"A golden-hued white, broad and dry on the palate, with well-knit acidity and light tannins defining a mix of baked pear, passion fruit, chopped almond, vanilla and crystallized honey flavors through the fragrant, spiced finish. Drink now through 2030. 2,000 cases made, 250 cases imported. "AN"