Château Dauzac Margaux 2019 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé

This vintage continues to improve: it has a distinctly Labarde character—firmer than a classic Margaux, with more cedar notes in the Médoc style and more Cabernet Sauvignon character—and a body that is slightly better defined right from the start than that of some of its peers. The corks are flawless. Excellent value for the money, with the wine expected to reach its peak around 2031.

With its vineyards located right next to those of Giscours and Siran, this fifth growth—classified in 1855—had been owned by MAIF since 1988, which sold it in early 2019 to the Breton group Samsic, led by Christian Roulleau. The remarkable technical team remains in place under the leadership of Philippe Roux and Laurent Fortin, setting an example in many ways; they have undertaken significant efforts to renovate the estate with great respect for the environment and to modernize the technical facilities, complemented by a standard of viticulture and winemaking that one would like to encounter more often. The most recent vintages have produced well-rounded wines that have been praised by critics: a powerful and harmonious premier vin, and two seconds—Aurore, which is similar in style to the premier vin, and La-Bastide, which is more supple.

A staple of the appellation, this cru lives up to its reputation with this beautiful, deep purple wine, featuring complex aromas of spices, graphite, licorice, and smoke. It has a strong personality that also comes through in a full-bodied, rich palate, with firm tannins that are even a bit austere on the finish. Patience. 2026–2032

After a glorious period in the 19th century, this estate fell into decline during the first half of the 20th century, before being revived by the Miailhe family, who came from Siran; the Châtelier family, who arrived from Champagne; and finally, in 1989, by MAIF, which entrusted its management to André Lurton in 1992. Lurton’s daughter, Christine Lurton Bazin de Caix, managed the estate from 2005 to 2013. Laurent Fortin succeeded her, and in 2014, André Lurton sold his stake to MAIF. The vineyard comprises 45 hectares in a single block.

It confirms its promising qualities. The wine is full-bodied yet juicy, driven by beautiful fruit and subtly rounded by the oak. A hint of pepper rounds out the finish.

The estate has been a strong contender for several vintages now. Laurent Fortin, who has served as the estate’s director since 2014, has been launching numerous initiatives and experiments while expanding the product line. He has successfully breathed new life into the estate, which can now be considered a sure bet. Now under the ownership of the Roulleau family, the estate is expected to continue improving, with well-developed plans for vineyard management.

This wine is wonderfully fragrant, with aromas of blackcurrant and flowers that carry through to its medium- to full-bodied palate. The tannins are very well integrated and linger into the finish. Bright and lively. One of the best Dauzacs of all time. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. Best after 2026.

The nose is very expressive, with notes of fig, cedar, and ripe black cherry. The attack is very rich—it’s a burst of freshness—with fruit coating the palate; the tannins provide a broad structure, leading to a toasty finish with soft notes of vanilla. A real pleasure.

The nose is elegant and offers complexity, a certain controlled concentration, and a well-balanced structure. It features notes of creamy blackcurrant, juicy wild strawberry, and a hint of violet, combined with touches of crushed raspberry, as well as subtle hints of licorice, caramel, blueberry, tea, a hint of chocolate, blue plum, and a subtle hint of vanilla. On the palate, it is fruity and offers minerality, freshness, juiciness, nice definition, smoothness, a certain richness, a delicate tangy structure, and an airy quality to the overall profile. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of vibrant Boysenberry, crushed raspberry, and, more subtly, pulpy cherry, combined with hints of blueberry, fresh/juicy bilberry, delicate hints of racy/gravelly minerality, as well as subtle savory notes of pepper and sweet blond tobacco. A very lovely expression of pulpy, vibrant, and tangy fruit. The tannins are precise and offer a refined smoothness. Good length. A slight chewiness on the finish and in the aftertaste. Beautiful length (13 Caudalies). Sincerity, purity, and savory depth in this lovely wine.