Dauphine (la) - Fronsac 2020

Wine Spectator

90

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2023

Bright, with damson plum and bitter cherry fruit notes pierced with light savory and tobacco hints. A subtle chalk spine carries the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2032. 12,500 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.

Alexandre Ma

93

byAlexandre Mathe4/18/2023

Wine Advocate

90

byYohan Castaingthe4/13/2023

The 2020 de la Dauphine is showing well with aromas of baked blackberries, graphite, spices and hints of oak. On the palate, this wine is medium to full-bodied with a fleshy texture and soft tannins that lead to an imposing, calcareous finish.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

The best I've tasted from this Château, the 2020 Château La Dauphine offers a terrific array of red and blue fruits as well as some classic Right Bank chalky minerality, medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, concentrated profile, and some background floral nuances. Drink this smoking good Fronsac over the coming decade.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92

byJeff Levethe3/22/2023

Deeply colored, and already quite expressive, the wine opens with nuances of crushed rocks, flowers, Morello cherries, bitter chocolate and licorice in the perfume. Silky, flamboyant and yet, refined, the finish lingers, which is a good thing as it allows you to enjoy more of its sweet, red, salt-tinted fruits. Drink from 2023-2036.

Alexandre Ma

93

byAlexandre Mathe3/15/2023

Wines Critic

93

byRaffaele Vecchionethe3/10/2023

Rich and strong in the sensory matrix alternating notes of sour cherries, cumin, gunshot powder, sandalwood, incense, juniper berries and cloves. Full bodied, biting tannins and a finale which marries volume with verticality. A lot of new wood which still needs to be integrated and is notable. Better from 2026.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 La Dauphine is positively stellar. Soft and voluptuous, with fabulous depth, the 2020 offers up a heady mélange of blackberry jam, chocolate, licorice, spice, new leather and incense. This extroverted, inviting Fronsac is just gorgeous.

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Château de la Dauphine has quite a decadent nose but it seems focused and delineated, raspberry coulis mixed with wild strawberry, later a touch of star anis. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, firm tannins, fine arching structure with a judicious touch of cracked black pepper on the finish. Excellent.

Yvesbeck.wine

92

byYves Beckthe1/3/2023

La fraîcheur des terroirs argilo-calcaire a été très bénéfique en 2020 et cela se ressent dans
Château La Dauphine. Fruité et floral il révèle également des nuances minérales. Bonne densité en
bouche où le vin est doté de tannins crémeux et légèrement suaves. Un Fronsac harmonieux,
expressif et persistant. Belle réussite. 2025-2037

Wine Enthusiast

93

byRoger Vossthe12/31/2022

The 85% Merlot in this superrich wine is what has pushed up the alcohol. It does give a powerful, juicy character to the black-currant fruits. Against the wood and tannins, this wine has density and a full ripe character. Worth aging, this fine, dense wine will be ready from 2026. Organic. — Roger Voss

Decanter.com

93

byGeorgina Hindlethe12/15/2022

Ripe and juicy fruits on the nose, bramble and bright blue fruit. Lovely high acidity with a touch of sweet tangy raspberry and cherry fruit combined with clear minerality, giving a sweet and salty combination, and such a great weight on the palate. Very well delivered, refined and elegant, crystalline and vibrant. Classic, cool, soft, round - this will be supremely enjoyable in a few years. A great buy. Consultant Julien Viaud.

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe11/28/2022

This offers lots of spices, chocolate and earthy notes to its dark-fruited character. Medium to full body. Ripe, velvety tannins and round texture. Shows depth and intensity with a compact structure and lingering finish. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2024.

TASTED

91

byAndreas Larssonthe7/6/2021

Pure and stylish, some chalky notes with wild berries, violet, fine oak. A bit more than medium weight, getting structure from quite rich tannins, generous fruit, fine oak integration and good length.

Vinous

90-92

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 La Dauphine is gorgeous. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, cloves, menthol and licorice build as this Fronsac opens with a bit of air. The 2020 is wonderfully fleshy and inviting, with all the elements in the right place. There is so much to look forward to. Tasted two times.

Vinous

91-93

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 La Dauphine is tight on the nose at first, opening to offer blackberry, bilberry and light briny scents and coalescing nicely over several minutes. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit, traces of soot and ash in the background and lovely delineation on the finish, but it’s a little sinewy, so it will require 3–5 years in bottle. Very fine.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Dark in color, the wine kicks off with licorice, Morello cherries, bitter chocolate, blackberry and smoke. Round, rich, lush and opulent, the velvet textured, chocolate covered plums on the palate really stick with you. Drink it young or age it for a few years. 91-93

Wine Advocate

90-92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 de la Dauphine opens with expressive notes of baked blackberries, prunes and Christmas pudding, leading to hints of eucalyptus, tar and dusty soil. The full-bodied palate is rich and decadent, delivering impactful exotic spice-laced black fruit preserves with just enough freshness and a velvety texture, finishing long and opulent.

Anthocyanes

90-92

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Épices, fumé, des notes de fruits noirs et de cassis. Bouche tannique, tendue, moyennement dense avec de la fraicheur. Le boisé ressort un peu en finale.

Falstaff

90-92

byPeter Moserthe5/10/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach Feigen, schwarze Waldbeeren unterlegt, ein Hauch von Kirschen, kandierte Orangenzesten, etwas Nougat. Straff, reife Kirschen, präsente Tannine, würzig und mineralisch im Nachhall, zart blättriger Abgang.

My Bettane + Desseauve

93

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021

Fruité floral épanoui, tannin ambitieux, beau volume soyeux, à la fois rigoureux dans sa construction et séduisant dans sa démonstration aromatique et dans son équilibre en bouche. Encore une grande réussite et une priorité pour l’amateur.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93

byJames Sucklingthe4/14/2021

A firm, solid red with blackberry, black-licorice and stone aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, polished tannins. Very well structured.