Château de La Dauphine 2020

Chateau de La Dauphine is a historic Fronsac estate whose origins date to the seventeenth century, once owned by the Moueix family and now by the Labrune family with advice from Pierre Rolland. It is one of the largest properties in the Libourne region, with fifty-three hectares of vineyards. This Right Bank Bordeaux leads on Merlot, which gives its round, plummy fruit and supple texture, with a little Cabernet Franc for lift, freshness and a savoury edge. Fronsac's slopes are clay and limestone: the clay retains water and suits Merlot in a warm year, while the limestone underneath brings freshness and a firm mineral line. The wine is aged in barrel, where slow oxygen exchange through the oak softens the tannins and adds cedar and light spice while the wine knits together. It is deep and dark in the glass. The nose shows dark plum and black cherry over tobacco, cedar and a clear earthy note. The palate is full and structured, with ripe tannin, good acidity and a long savoury finish at fifteen percent. Serve at 16 to 18C and decant an hour ahead. Good with roast beef, lamb and mature cheese.