Château de La Dauphine 2013

Pretty crushed raspberry nose. Follows on the palate. Tannins are fine and persistent. Less stuffing than usual but well made.

The 2013 Château de la Dauphine was picked at a paltry 20 hl/ha from 23 September to 10 October with 15% malo in barrel. It has a light, ephemeral nose as you’d expect from this challenging growing season, maybe a touch green around the edges. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins and hollow toward the finish. It feels a little mealy in the mouth; bottles should be drunk now, if not yesterday.

Fresh herbs, fennel and red berries, soft and round in texture, the wine exchanges depth for an ease of drinkability. 86-88 pts

Rather sweet nose of stewed fruit, sweet plum and raspberry. A fairly supple, soft palate with good freshness, attractive pure fruit, and a rounded, medium-long finish.

Lightened garnet with medium density, fine rim. Extremely idiosyncratic bouquet, more honey and compote than anything else. On the palate, it’s like a spread infused with tannins. Uncharming and going nowhere. They messed up the entire harvest!

For now, you can sense a spicy, tannic density with underlying substance; it needs time.

A nicely spiced wine with flesh and good body, and soft tannins. A fine success.

Fruity, pleasant, and light wine.