Château de la Dauphine 2020

In the heart of Bordeaux’s Right Bank lies the historic Château La Dauphine, a property with deep roots in both the region's rich winemaking heritage and French history. Today, Fronsac may not have the same fame as Pauillac, Margaux, or Saint-Emilion, but in the 18th century, its wines were among the finest, commanding higher prices than even those from Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. Fronsac was once Bordeaux's shining star, and Château La Dauphine stands as a proud testament to that bygone era.

As the largest vineyard in Fronsac, Château La Dauphine is on an inspiring comeback, drawing on centuries of tradition and heritage to craft wines that are garnering serious attention from wine enthusiasts. The estate’s history is intertwined with royalty and legend: from its ties to Charlemagne, who established a fortress in Fronsac, to Cardinal de Richelieu, who owned the land and made its wines beloved by the French nobility. The château’s name honors Marie Josepha of Saxony, the mother of Louis XVI, known as "La Dauphine" the title given to the French queen’s mother-in-law, whose tragic fate was intertwined with the rise and fall of the Bourbon monarchy.

Today, Château La Dauphine is redefining Fronsac wines for a new generation. With vineyards that stretch across the clay-limestone slopes of the Dordogne River, the estate produces wines that embody the power and elegance of the Right Bank, with a character and complexity that rival the best Bordeaux has to offer. While much of the focus in Bordeaux has shifted to the likes of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, Château La Dauphine is reclaiming its rightful place among the finest properties of the region.

For the modern wine drinker seeking exceptional Bordeaux wines without the sky-high prices of some of the more hyped appellations, Château La Dauphine represents both a nod to history and a glimpse into Bordeaux's future. With a focus on quality, terroir, and sustainable practices, these wines offer a thrilling experience for those in the know. For anyone who appreciates elegance, depth, and a story steeped in tradition, Château La Dauphine is a name that should be on your radar.

"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." - Jeb Dunnuck, (03/30/2023), Ratings: 93

"The 2020 La Dauphine is positively stellar. Soft and voluptuous, with fabulous depth, the 2020 offers up a heady mélange of blackberry jam, chocolate, licorice, spice, new leather and incense. This extroverted, inviting Fronsac is just gorgeous." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (02/24/2023), Ratings: 93