Château Dauzac 2020

Even at this stage, it is very oak-driven, with a distinctly dry finish that clearly overwhelms the fruit expression at this point; fiery finale.

Expressive and enticing, with a showy core of loganberry, mulberry and black currant fruit flavors that meld nicely, picking up singed alder, sanguine and tobacco notes along the way. Reveals warm earth that spills in on the finish, along with a violet echo. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2027 through 2037. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 8,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.

Juicy and upfront, this has nice energy and life with good acidity and clear texture. Nicely framed with a toasty touch balanced by a hint of sweetness to the blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with some floral accents. Oak and spice are to the fore, just taking over some of the fruit expression at this point with chalky, liquorice and black olive-laced tannins. On the broader, more opulent end of the scale with richness and lots of flavour nuance.

This has enticing aromas of dried violets, chocolate, oyster shells, bark, blackcurrants, black plums and cloves. There’s plenty packed into a medium body, with ultra-fine, creamy tannins enveloping a perfumed core of black fruit. So creamy and caressing. 72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% merlot. Drink from 2025.

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Lifted dark-red fruit. Seductive and open. Firm, deep, pure-fruited, really smooth and nicely balanced by freshness. Powerful and harmonious with great fruit. Long, too. Powerful style of Margaux? (JH)

The 2020 Dauzac is a rich, heady Margaux. Jammy dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice, spice and lavender saturate the palate. Readers should expect a flamboyant, opulent wine. There is certainly plenty to like. I must say, though, the heavy bottle is completely out of touch with today's world.

Lush, plush, polished and creamy, this gem is packed with black cherries, chocolate, espresso, blackberries, smoke and violets. Full-bodied, long and rich, the fruit really lingers from the mid-palate through to the finish. Drink from 2025-2050.

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, subtle rim brightening. Delicately floral, nuances of blueberries and cassis, candied tangerine zest, some vanilla. Juicy and complex, good density and sweetness, ripe tannins, has length, some nougat on the finish, certain ageing potential. (2028-2055).

A terrific effort from this Margaux château, the 2020 Château Dauzac has a plump, medium-bodied, rounded style that gives it plenty of accessibility even today. Ripe black cherries, currants, smoked tobacco, and chocolate notes define the aromatics, and it has supple tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. I'd happily drink a bottle today, but it will evolve for 15+ years or so.

Delicate bouquet with refined cassis spice, blackberry jelly, a hint of liquorice and dark precious wood. The palate is elegant with a silky texture, supporting tension, slightly firm notes in the background and a medium body. In a tightly knit finish, this Margaux becomes more slender and ends with Sichuan pepper, tarragon and a finely crumbly astringency.

Kunz Fassprobe 2021: Fresh, off-dry bouquet, raspberries, cherries, stone dust. An elegant, silky, fresh palate with fine, sweet fruit, an elegant structure, good tannins, fresh aromatics, and a long, refined finish.

Fine herbs, a fresh bouquet, raspberries, cherries, stone dust. An elegant, silky, fresh palate with fine, sweet fruit, an elegant structure, good tannins, fresh aromatics and a long, refined finish. 17/20 2025 - 2038

Lovely bright plum colour, with a vivid violet rim. Broad shouldered and full of confidence, this opens with damson and black cherry fruits. Dauzac is on a roll at the moment, plenty of rich depths through the mid palate, seriously impressive, velvety, packed full of fruit, cocoa bean, cloves and turmeric spice. Heavy bottle.

The 2020 Dauzac, 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot, is deep garnet-purple in color. It leaps with vibrant notes of crushed black and red currants, raspberry leaves, and wood smoke, leading to touches of graphite, black olives, and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate offers pure red and black berry flavors with mineral accents and an approachable, grainy texture, finishing with an herbal lift.

Inviting chocolatey nuances complemented by notes of blackcurrant and sweet spices. Supple and with good density, the wine displays velvety, fine-grained tannins. A fine aromatic expression from the attack through to the finish. An enjoyable, harmonious wine with undeniable charm.

Dark, intense colour. The nose is intense too: fruity, fresh, and more spicy than many Margaux wines. On the palate, this wine lacks body and the finish is a bit harsh. This growth is losing the splendour it had regained between 2015 and 2017.

Dauzac 2020 continues its fine run of vintages and perhaps takes the cru even higher, with sovereign balance and a truly elegant tannin grain. A pure, precise wine that brings the château closer to a second star.

93–95. Barrel Sample. The southernmost of the Margaux vineyards has produced a bold, black fruit and structured wine. The potential of this ripe, juicy wine is there in the tannins, the vivid black currant fruits and the wine's developing opulence.