Château de La Dauphine - Fronsac 2016

Decanter

About the wine:

Owned by the Moueix family until 2000, this beautiful château, built in 1750, is now owned by the Labrune family. The nose of black fruit is complex, with spicy oak and a slight floral character. Rich and velvety, very concentrated and spicy, it cannot quite mask its high alcohol content. Spicy and vigorous, it is imposing and possesses enough acidity to provide liveliness and length. 2023–2032

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The 2016 vintage is a great success for this Fronsadais wine, which combines distinctive character, depth, and drinkability. The nose is dominated by notes of flowers, ripe black fruits, and sweet spices. On the palate, it is smooth, full-bodied, and rich, with a refreshing citrus note.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2016 Château de la Dauphine was harvested at 31 hl/ha—a lower yield than the previous vintage—between September 26 and October 23. It was aged in 30% new oak for 12 months. It is slightly more opulent than the 2015, with aromas of black cherry, Dorest plum, black truffle, and licorice—seductive, yet not quite revealing the same aging profile as the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. It is consistent and velvety, with a subtle hint of acidity and a judicious touch of white pepper mixed with clove on the finish. It finishes with a bit more elegance than the nose suggests. A good Fronsac, solid, thoroughly delicious, and worthy of the name. 2022–2035

James Suckling

About the wine:

A robust, full-bodied red with notes of black fruit, chocolate, and nuts, along with salty and mineral undertones. Full-bodied. Dense and powerful for its vintage.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

A deep, dense purple with violet highlights. La Dauphine’s nose is very fresh, with notes of mint and minerality, along with hints of chalk. After a bit of aeration, I also detect notes of cocoa beans and cherries. On the palate, the wine has good structure and offers strong aromatic intensity. Its structure gives it pep, while the tannins provide a solid foundation. The finish is fruity and juicy. I initially rated this wine 90/100, but during a second tasting, the bouquet had gained in complexity, which is why I rated the wine again. 2021–2033

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Still deep in color, this wine is floral, with fruity aromas accented by notes of fennel. Rich, silky, elegant, and complex, it offers fruit, freshness, a long finish, and character—and best of all, it’s easy to find and affordable too!