Château Dauzac Margaux 2016 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Racy, deep, virile, very strongly Cabernet Sauvignon, remarkable fruit maturity, this is a superb long-distance runner that you'll have to wait for.

About the domain :

Immediately adjacent to Giscours and Siran in terms of the location of its vineyards, this fifth growth classified in 1855 had belonged since 1988 to MAIF, which sold it in early 2019 to the Breton Samsic group, headed by Christian Roulleau. The remarkable technical team remains in place around Philippe Roux and Laurent Fortin, setting an example in many respects; they have made major efforts to renovate the premises, with great respect for the environment, and to modernize the technical buildings, complemented by a level of viticulture and vinification that we'd like to see more of. The latest vintages have produced complete wines, acclaimed by the critics: a powerful, harmonious grand vin and two second wines, aurore, close to the style of the first, and la-bastide, more supple.

Decanter

About the wine:

Once again, it's the richness and assurance of the construction that stand out here. The sweet fruit and high aromatic notes take time to unfold in the glass, revealing an obvious suppleness of tannin. This is a good-quality wine, even if it is a little dark (we tasted 2 bottles, as we wondered about the volatile acidity of the first). An excellent reflection of the investment and attention to detail at Dauzac. 2024-2040

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Intense and deep, the cherry color suggests a rich wine. The powerful bouquet, with its notes of ripe red and black fruit, lives up to this expectation. Carried by silky tannins, well-balanced, full-bodied and with good aromatic complexity, the palate vouches for the future of this 2016. 2023-2030

About the domain :

After its glory days in the 19th century, this cru fell into lethargy in the first half of the 20th century, before being reborn thanks to the Miailhe family, who came from Siran, the Châtelier family, who arrived from Champagne, and finally, in 1989, to MAIF, who entrusted management to André Lurton in 1992. The latter's daughter, Christine Lurton Bazin de Caix, ran the estate between 2005 and 2013. Laurent Fortin replaced her, and in 2014 André Lurton sold his stake to MAIF. The vineyard covers 45 hectares in a single block.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

About the wine:

2016 is Dauzac's finest success, offering a refined, very bright wine. The fruit is limpid, bright and juicy, and the finish unfolds lovely, finely saline notes.

About the domain :

The cru has been solidly in the running for several vintages now. Laurent Fortin, the cru's director since 2014, is multiplying initiatives, experimenting and expanding the range. He has succeeded in giving new impetus to the cru, which can now be classed as a sure bet. Now in the hands of the Roulleau family, the cru is set to make further progress, with a highly advanced approach to vine cultivation.

Wine Enthusiast

James Suckling

About the wine:

Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, dense and multiple with ripe tannins and a mellow but polished tannic finish. A young Bordeaux with great structure and concentration. Try after 2022.

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Dark, intense and beautiful color. Intense, fine, fruity, pure, ripe and subtle nose. Finely mellow on the attack, juicy on development, with a melting body and great tactile softness, the wine glides through to the finish. It finishes savory, long, sappy, fresh and ultimately very Medoc-like. A great success and an Outsider in Margaux.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, aromatic, fruity and racy, offering fine richness, fine grain, fine power and complexity. Notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy strawberry and, to a lesser extent, licorice are combined with hints of blackcurrant, chocolate and discreet hints of Bourbon vanilla, spices and an imperceptible touch of pepper. The palate is fruity, mineral and well-balanced, with a good mineral framework, tension, fine aromatic precision, fine creaminess, greediness, fine grain, fine juiciness, fine structure, a little freshness, suavity and fine chewiness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, full-bodied blackcurrant and, to a lesser extent, crushed raspberry, combined with hints of fleshy Gariguette strawberry, chocolate, toast, licorice stick and a discreet hint of Bourbon vanilla and tea. Elegant tannins. Good length. Very discreet hint of hazelnut/almond on the finish. Very discreet hint of tonka bean on the lingering finish.