2021, Château La Dauphine, FRONSAC

Carefully extracted blackberry and red cherry fruits that just skirts full ripeness, there are leafy raspberry and rose stem flavours here that add to a feeling of austerity, but it is carried through by a juicy mouthwatering slate freshness. 30% new oak, certified organic, Director Stephanie Barousse. 90 Jane Anson.

The 2021 Château de La Dauphine has an energetic bouquet of perfumed black cherries, cassis fruit and light violet aromas; there’s good presence here. The palate is quite structured, delivering insistent grip, impressive salinity and a very harmonious finish. It might just lack a bit of persistence, but otherwise this is a very fine Fronsac. 91-93 Neal Martin.

The 2021 La Dauphine is irresistible. It offers up copious black cherry, plum, espresso, licorice and menthol. Flashy and exuberant, yet also restrained in keeping with the style of the year, La Dauphine is very clearly one of the standouts in Fronsac. 90-92 Antonio Galloni.