Chateau La Dauphine 2025

Jeb Dunnuck: Deep ruby/plum-hued, the 2025 Château De La Dauphine comes from a great estate in Fronsac that's well worth seeking out. Based on 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc that will spend 12 months in a mix of oak, foudres, and amphorae, it has remarkable purity in its black raspberry, cassis, graphite, and chocolaty, floral, exotic aromatics. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a pure, graceful, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It checks in at 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.5, and plays in the focused, pure, precise style of the vintage. It's beautifully done and should be snatched up by savvy readers."

Decanter: Aromatic purity on the nose, smells lively and welcoming. Clean, clear and supple, there’s an enjoyable bouncy element to the tannins and ripe fruit with cool acidity that means you get texture, flavour and brightness. Still quite calm, nothing over the top about this. Elegant and finessed as La Dauphine does so well. A very assured 2025 that will find fans.I love the chalky minerality on the finish."

The Wine Cellar Insider: Quite floral in its perfume, you also find licorice, chocolate, black cherries, and smoke setting off the perfume. Lush and creamy, with delicate fruit and freshness, the finish is packed with layers of spicy, sweet blackness, red fruits, cocoa, licorice, and a touch of sea salt that shows up at the end. ail. Drink from 2028-2045."

Jane Anson: Concentrated plum colour, brambled raspberry and loganberry, good texture, grip and tension through the palate. There are waves of gooseberry and redcurrant fruit as the palate opens up. Enjoyable, good quality, fresh acidities, mouthwatering. Harvest September 11 to 19. 30 hl/ha. 3.50 pH."

Vinum: Ein Bouquet, das Frische und Reife verbindet; Veilchennoten, Kirschfrucht, das Holz subtil im Hintergrund; straffer Auftakt, zupackendes, feinkörniges Tannin, delikater, süsser Fruchtkern, der Wein zeigt Spannung, Präzision und Finesse; langer, würziger und rotfruchtiger Abgang. Einmal mehr hervorragend."

James Suckling: A well-composed red, textured and flavorful, with plenty of bright red berry and floral aromas. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that are slightly chewy. Crunchy and vivid with a flavorful finish."