Chateau Dauzac 2018

JAMES SUCKLING: "Lots of crushed black and blue fruit on the nose with licorice and crushed gravel, too. Hints of tobacco. It’s full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced and precise. Tight at the finish. Tannins are integrated and mouth filling. The grow nicely on the palate. 68% cabernet sauvignon and 32% merlot. Try from 2024."

DECANTER: "Vibrant purple in colour with clear fruit aromatics of redcurrant and raspberry, this has vibrancy and lift and is full of life. The juicy fruit is shot through with peppery spice and herbs, along with touches of slate and tobacco leaf. The acidity is on the higher side, making it more perky than seductive, with good persistence and no intention of going anywhere fast. Dauzac was still owned by insurance company MAIF during the 2018 season but the estate has since changed hands, so the maturation will be overseen by new owner, French businessman Christian Roulleau, with director Laurent Fontin remaining in place. A new system of extraction called Air Pulse keeps the berries in permanent suspension during fermentation, so a hard 'marc', or cap of skins, never forms. It means they have no need for traditional pumping over, and in theory ensures softer extractions. Harvest September 17 to October 8.A 45hl/h yield, which is impressive considering they are using algae-derived treatments against mildew to reduce use of copper. 65% new oak. Drinking Window 2027 - 2040"

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Einladende Nuancen von Cassis und Lakritze, schwarze Kirschen, tabakige Noten, feine Edelholzwürze. Saftig, elegant, frische Herzkirschen, angenehme Extraktsüße, eingebundene, reife Tannine, feines Nougat im Nachhall, sehr gut ausgewogen, verfügt über Frische und Länge. (2020–2040)"

WINE SPECTATOR: "Very fresh and silky in feel, with a bright display of raspberry coulis and cassis notes that glides through, infused gently with rooibos tea, incense and savory details through the caressing finish. Understated style, but there's a lot to like. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2034."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2018 Château Dauzac is another charming, nicely balanced, textured wine from Margaux with plenty of ripe red and black fruits, notes of dried flowers, chocolate, and incense, light tannins, and outstanding length. It's a fleshy, balanced, flavor-filled beauty that is already drinking nicely today yet is going to keep for 15 years in cold cellars."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Medium/full-bodied, soft, round, lush, ripe and fruity with loads of sweet black cherry, plum, tobacco, flowers and hints of spice on the nose and palate. There is good freshness to the fruity and softness to the tannins. Give this another 7-8 years and it should be showing quite well."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Powerfully structured, this is a big wine. Black fruits, ripe tannins and concentration are not shy in their richness. Juicy blackberry flavors are just beginning to develop and integrate with the structure. Drink from 2026."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, 2018 Dauzac comes galloping out of the glass with powerful notes of blackcurrant cordial, stewed black plums and blueberry compote, plus suggestions of violets, clove oil and underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with ripe black fruits, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long with a peppery kick."