2009 Dauphine
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Tasting notes
The 2009 Château de la Dauphine was picked from 17 September to 16 October and underwent double turbo-pigeage prior to fermentation with partial malo in barrel. It is matured for 12 months in 30% new oak. This takes a little time to open on the nose, before bursting open with red fruit, chocolate chip, undergrowth and clove. The palate is well balanced with tarry black fruit and much more freshness and delineation than the previous vintage. It manages to retain decent control on the finish that lingers in the mouth. Maybe it does not quite "kick on" as I might have hoped, but otherwise, this is a very fine Fronsac.
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Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
I had hoped this wine would turn out slightly better, as it was one of the handful of wines that didn’t live up to my predicted range (most exceeded it or were at least at the higher end in 2009). A consumer-friendly, elegant wine with plenty of crushed rock and black cherry notes, it has medium weight, a creamy texture, and good purity and depth, it is just not quite as rich and as long as I had expected. Anticipated maturity: now-2020.
Dark crimson. Fresh and fleshy and easy for early drinking. (JR)