Château de la Dauphine
Fronsac Merlot Cabernet Franc
Fronsac, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
2015 vintage. A blend of Merlot (90%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). Certified organic since 2015 and now biodynamically farmed. The estate was bought in 2015 by the Labrune family, but it had a very good reputation before. This wine certainly does not disappoint. Smells like a mix of red and black fruit (raspberry, cherry, blackberry) with attractive floral hints and a discrete vanilla touch. In the mouth it has impeccable balance, the ripe concentrated fruit balanced by fresh acidity and probably the most civilised tannins I have ever tasted in Fronsac (they tend to be a bit rustic over there). This has class, great length and purity. Well worth the 22,50 price tag. The 14,5% alcohol is perfectly integrated. What's not to like?
2015 vintage. A blend of Merlot (90%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). Certified organic since 2015 and now biodynamically farmed. The estate was bought in 2015 by the Labrune family, but it had a very good reputation before. This wine certainly does not disappoint. Smells like a mix of red and black fruit (raspberry, cherry, blackberry) with attractive floral hints and a discrete vanilla touch. In the mouth it has impeccable balance, the ripe concentrated fruit balanced by fresh acidity and probably the most civilised tannins I have ever tasted in Fronsac (they tend to be a bit rustic over there). This has class, great length and purity. Well worth the 22,50 price tag. The 14,5% alcohol is perfectly integrated. What's not to like?
Sep 12th, 2020
Pretty tight still but welcoming. Blackcurrant, cedar and years ahead of itself. Nice!
Pretty tight still but welcoming. Blackcurrant, cedar and years ahead of itself. Nice!
Aug 6th, 2023
Wow! Big and beautiful. Ripe raspberry, blackberry, black plums, some leather and smoke. Long finish with a perfect balance. I would never know the alcohol is 14.5..
Wow! Big and beautiful. Ripe raspberry, blackberry, black plums, some leather and smoke. Long finish with a perfect balance. I would never know the alcohol is 14.5..
Sep 21st, 2022
90% Merlot and 10% cab franc but the cab franc is really showing here. Very herbal with roasted jalapeño on the finish.
90% Merlot and 10% cab franc but the cab franc is really showing here. Very herbal with roasted jalapeño on the finish.
Mar 27th, 2022
Really balanced, firm tannins at first but then gives way to smooth elegance. Really nice.
Really balanced, firm tannins at first but then gives way to smooth elegance. Really nice.
Nov 29th, 2021
2016 vintage. Really light nose of mint and dust. Medium heavy body. Full of Tootsie Roll, ripe plum and dark cherry flavor traits. Really nice QPR/Bang for the buck. Super-approachable and forward now but it’ll rock steady until you’re ready to tackle those cellared wines you’re eschewing from the new millennium. Would make a great event/party wine where varied (non) palates are in play.
2016 vintage. Really light nose of mint and dust. Medium heavy body. Full of Tootsie Roll, ripe plum and dark cherry flavor traits. Really nice QPR/Bang for the buck. Super-approachable and forward now but it’ll rock steady until you’re ready to tackle those cellared wines you’re eschewing from the new millennium. Would make a great event/party wine where varied (non) palates are in play.
Sep 22nd, 2021