Chateau Dauzac 2017

ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2017 Dauzac was picked from 17 September and finished at the end of the month. Matured in 65% new oak it has a surprisingly intense black cherry, blueberry and violet, a vivacious bouquet that I hope is in situ once this is bottled. The palate is medium-bodied with dense black fruit, wild strawberry, quite grippy in the mouth with a structured but elegant finish. Don't under-estimate this Margaux because under Laurent Fortin the team produced a delightful Margaux."

DECANTER: "Ruby medium bodied colour, with peppery plum kicking things off on the attack. There is austerity that never quite goes away, but the wine is starting to come together and with another few years this precision should be well balanced by fleshy fruit. Careful extraction, just a little soft on the finish. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040"

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, schwarze Beeren, dunkles Waldbeerkonfit, Nougat, kandierte Orangenzesten. Saftige Zwetschkenfrucht, dunkle Beeren, präsente Tannine, Brombeerfrucht im Abgang, saliner Touch, etwas Schokolade im Rückgeschmack."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Very perfumed and beautiful on the nose with crushed-raspberry, spearmint and licorice aromas that follow through to a medium body and firm, silky tannins. Bright and clean. Precise. Needs two or three years to open. Drink after 2021."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2017 Château Dauzac should be an outstanding wine, showing the charming, forward style that’s common from the Margaux appellation in 2017. Plums, cherries, and incense aromatics, a ripe, velvety texture, integrated acidity, and a great finish all make for an impressive 2017 that should drink nicely in its youth."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "There is a roundness to the tannins, that comes from a healthy dose of Merlot in the blend. The ripe, dark cherries are sweet, fresh and smoky, with earthy, leafy and floral nuances attached. This is already quite nice and should age well, for at least another 2 decades or longer."

WEINWISSER: "Dichtes Granat mit violettem Rand. Komplexes Brombeerbouquet, dahinter Schlehensaft und Kirschhäute. Am stoffigen Gaumen mit reifem Extrakt und engmaschigem Tanningerüst. Im enggebündelten Finale mit viel blaubeeriger Frucht und grossen Reserven ausgestattet."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This stalky wine has acidity and an edgy structure. Black-currant fruits give freshness to balance the core of dry tannins that should soften. Drink from 2023."

WINESPECTATOR: "Features an overt toasty frame that lifts up the moderate core of plum and black cherry fruit. Maintains a polished feel through the singed vanilla– and tobacco-infused finish. A little reliant on toast, so drink up before the fruit fades. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2021 through 2027."