Château de La Dauphine 2011

Floral nose, well built, just a bit stern and bitter on the finish. In line with the vintage.

This large estate, one of the most beautiful properties in Fronsac, produces a wine made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Delicious berry fruit, good spice and chalky minerality emerge from this medium-bodied, attractive, fleshy 2011. Enjoy it over the next 7–8 years.

Solid, with a charcoal spine holding the dark plum, currant and blackberry fruit together. Lightly chewy grip graces the finish, where the charcoal edge lingers. Drink now through 2017. 6,666 cases made, 420 cases imported.

Inky black cherry colour. Ripe, intense and rich on the nose. Lots of sweet fruit but very fresh too and so rounded. Deep fruit pie. Structured and still so smooth. (JH)

The 2011 Château de la Dauphine was picked at 47hl/ha between 6 and 21 September, matured in 30% new oak for 12 months. It has a light and slightly leafy bouquet that leans more towards red fruit, with touches of bay leaf and sage emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with somewhat chewy tannins, certainly drier and more “rigid” compared to the previous two vintages. It comes across as a little dry on the finish, and as such, I would drink this in the near future.

Licorice, chocolate and earthy scents with black raspberry; this wine is open and soft on the palate, finishing with jammy black cherry. This Fronsac estate is consulted by Denis Dubourdieu. 87-89 pts

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with lilac highlights on the rim. Delicate rose aroma and wild raspberries, showing rather nice concentration. Compact, textured, and quite candy-like due to its fruit sweetness; if it can still polish its slightly sandy tannins, it will earn one more point next time.

A supple, charming and well-balanced wine, sound in all its components. A lovely, seductive bottle that will be a great pleasure to drink.

This wine now appears more austere and with less body than en primeur. Medium length.

86-88. Barrel sample. Soft and fruity with red currant fruits and forward light tannins, this wine is attractive and already drinkable.