Named after Louis XVI's mother who stayed at the Chateau in 1750 and owned previously by the Moueix family (owners of Petrus among others) before being bought in 2000 by Jean Halley, whose son invested heavily to enhance ways of expressing this great terroir. Bought by the Labrune family in 2015 who continue to truly express the finesse found here but are increasingly looking to pursue production of biodynamic methods

40 hectares of vineyards under production on clay and limestone

Double sorting table before and after destemming, the grapes are gravity fed into tanks Fermentation at 26°C. Maceration for 25 days. Vertical pressing with separation of the musts Undergoes malolactic fermentation in Barrels (30%) Maturing of separate batches in oak for 12 months with 30% of new barrels

Jeb Dunnuck: 93 Points
The best I've tasted from this Château, the 2020 Château La Dauphine offers a terrific array of red and blue fruits as well as some classic Right Bank chalky minerality, medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, concentrated profile, and some background floral nuances. Drink this smoking good Fronsac over the coming decade.

Vinous: 92 Points The 2020 Château de la Dauphine has quite a decadent nose but it seems focused and delineated, raspberry coulis mixed with wild strawberry, later a touch of star anis. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, firm tannins, fine arching structure with a judicious touch of cracked black pepper on the finish. Excellent.

Wine Advocate: 90 Points
The 2020 de la Dauphine is showing well with aromas of baked blackberries, graphite, spices and hints of oak. On the palate, this wine is medium to full-bodied with a fleshy texture and soft tannins that lead to an imposing, calcareous finish.

Wine Spectator: 90 Points
Bright, with damson plum and bitter cherry fruit notes pierced with light savoury and tobacco hints. A subtle chalk spine carries the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2032.