2018 Château de la Dauphine

Community Tasting Notes (26) Median Score: 92 points

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  4/6/2024 - Quiller wrote: 85 Points

  Opened, poured and let sit a little over an hour. Then: Maybe some faint darkish fruit on the nose. Initial taste is earthy, with some darkish-reddish fruit in the background. Stays this way pretty much through the finish. Of more note are the tannins: They start early and build; by the end of the glass have pretty much taken over. Not particularly harsh, but dominant. With minimal fruit and not particularly tasty fruit and very tannic, this isn't much fun to drink. I have about 2/3 bottle left and am not looking forward to finishing it. Maybe the tannins will soften and blend better with time, but it's hard to see the fruit gaining strength. Based on this bottle, if you have any, hold and hope.
  Follow up: After the first glass noted above, I recorked the bottle and came back to it 3 days later, pouring one glass one day and another glass the next. The last glass fairly decent. The tannins were no longer a distraction; acidity still OK; taste only a touch earthy now; fruit a bit better, although not strong. "Tasty" might be too strong, but noticeably better than the first glass on 4/6. Maybe raise the score 2-3 points. Maybe this argues for holding quite a few more years before opening to let the tannins soften; still not sure about the fruit.

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  2/19/2024 - I Drink and I know Things wrote: 94 Points

  Truly, a beautiful bottle. I’ve had earlier vintages and this never disappoints for the price. Around $50 in BC. Buying more! A gem!

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  9/16/2023 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Opened last night. This continues to impress. Not a blockbuster, just a very good wine for a nice price. Nothing stands out, but it is harmonious and well put together, with good balance. Nice spice on the nose. 5-12-16-7: 90/100.

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  4/7/2023 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Popped and poured. Another very decent showing for this well-priced wine. Viscous dark red, with a good nose and better palate. Pretty harmonious and balanced, this is slightly "dumber" than bottles I have had previously and my be entering a more closed phase. All the elements are here though to assume this will emerge even better than my previous experiences with this wine. 5-12-15-8: 90/100.

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  2/28/2023 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Popped and poured. Excellent black-ruby color with good legs. Fine nose with cassis and blue and red fruit. Smells deep and rich. Good palate, medium body with ripe fruit flavors. Excellent value here. 5-13-16-8: 92/100.

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