2006 La Dauphine

Another sleeper of the vintage, La Dauphine’s 2006 possesses a deep ruby/purple color, a chocolaty cassis character, medium body, sweet tannin, and surprising levels of fruit as well as depth. The new owners continue to elevate this beautiful estate to higher and higher quality levels. P.S. This is the first vintage to include what used to be a separate estate, Canon de Brem, which no longer exists. Good value.

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Apparently the owners, the Halleys, have decided to put all the fruit previously destined for their Canon de Brem wine into La Dauphine from this year because it is better known. Slightly pale rim, hint of animal notes and less concentrated than some but with very good balance for sappy, early drinking. Sappy, energetic wine. (JR)

Another sleeper of the vintage, La Dauphine’s 2006 possesses a deep ruby/purple color, a chocolaty cassis character, medium body, sweet tannin, and surprising levels of fruit as well as depth. The new owners continue to elevate this beautiful estate to higher and higher quality levels. P.S. This is the first vintage to include what used to be a separate estate, Canon de Brem, which no longer exists. Good value. Feb 2009, www.robertparker.com