Château de La Dauphine 2024

Delicately scented, fresh and floral on the nose, with violet, blackberry, plum and Earl Grey tea; fine-boned on the palate, precise tannins embracing the fruit, elegant, light-footed, almost floating across the tongue, with good length and plenty of polish. A dancing La Dauphine.

Clean and crystalline, quite a straightforward style, less focused on plush fruit; this is more structured and firm, cool and centred around fine tannins with a saline grip. There’s some juiciness that keeps the expression lifted, and this ends cool and fresh. Well worked, still with plenty of nuance. I like this. It’s very honest, no make-up, nothing covering the expression of the season, the grapes and the terroir. One third of normal production, 30,000 instead of 150,000.

With a floral bouquet setting off the perfume, the wine is on the finesse side, focusing on its elegant character that allows its vivid display of black raspberries, plums, licorice, chocolate, and crushed stones to shine. The wine blends 75% Merlot with 25% Cabernet Franc. Production was down close to 70% from hail. Drink from 2027-2039. 91-93 pts

Fleshy and indulgent, the bouquet reveals stewed red-fruit aromas that still retain freshness. Old rose notes bring a peppery touch. This fleshy character carries through to a bouncy texture, full of fresh, juicy fruit. A satisfying roundness that lingers through the finish for total pleasure.

Inky plum, floral aromatics, slate-textured tannins with cherry pit and pomegranate fruits. 40% of the usual production after hail in June, 3.5 pH, aged across amphoras, barrels and large oak casks, harvest September 24 to October 4. Organic and biodynamic certified. Lovely juicy finish, good value.

Dark, vibrant colour. Moderately intense nose with ripe fruit aromas. On the palate, the oak is currently quite prominent. Blend: 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol: 13° – pH: 3.5.