Dedicated to the expression of terroir and dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Château Dauzac reveals a nicely complex bouquet that slowly unfolds during aeration. On the palate, it strikes a subtle balance between the richness of its tannins and the aromatic diversity of its supple fruits, emblematic of great wines for ageing.

Cabernet Sauvignon dominates with its complexity, elegance and minerality, while Merlot adds roundness and silkiness. Always deep in colour, Château Dauzac expresses a subtle balance where fruits, flowers and spices are combined, with a complex body and tannins ensuring an emotional tasting experience.

Characteristics

Production area

42 hectares

Soil type

Deep gravel outcrops

Rooststock

101-14, Riparia Gloire et 3309

Fertilizer

Organic fertilization

Planting density

10,000 vines/hectare

Average vine age

35 – 40 years

Grape varieties on the property

69% Cabernet Sauvignon
29% Merlot
2% Petit-Verdot

Pruning system

« Double Guyot » pruning with disbudding

Harvest

By hand in small crates and sorting on tables before and after de-stemming.

Vinification

Use of gravity-flow vatting to supply the fermentation room.

Fermentation

Use of gravity-flow vatting to supply the fermentation room. Fermentation in wooden vats with transparent double staves. Fermentation temperature : 28°C (82,4°F)

Malolactique

Yes

Breeding

100% French oak barrels (including 65% new barrels) for 15 months with racking based on tasting results.

Vintages

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

2023

The 2023 vintage is powerful and silky, full-bodied and fleshy.

Assemblage

66% Cabernet Sauvignon
34% Merlot

Potentiel de vieillissement

In its best years from 5 to 20 years, at its peak between 20 and 30 years.

Nos suggestions

White meats, game, red meats, cheeses.

Commentaire de dégustation

Powerful and silky, this full-bodied, fleshy 2023 has an attack dominated by bright, pure fruit, giving way to a full, silky palate where red fruit and menthol notes mingle. The tannins are well integrated. The texture on the palate is luscious and full.

Météo

The vines got off to an earlier start than in recent decades. This year, spring frosts were mild and spared our plots. The warmer- than-average spring allowed us to enjoy a magnificent flowering period, which began at the end of May. Until early summer, weather conditions were mild and very humid. This equation meant that our teams had to keep a watchful eye on the plants. Different herbal teas are used for each treatment to reinforce the vine’s defenses, thus effectively protecting our vineyard. Veraison begins slowly at the end of the first half of July and ends at the beginning of August. Radically different from July, the weather in August becomes dry, with normally warm temperatures. Conditions intensify in September, with several weeks above 40°C coupled with hot nights. We began harvesting our plots on September 11th and finished on the 27th under optimal weather conditions. The juices are concentrated and rich, but with excellent acidity that will guarantee great ageing potential.

2022

A powerful, silky vintage that will be remembered by all.

Assemblage

63 % Cabernet Sauvignon
37 % Merlot

Potentiel de vieillissement

At its best between 5 and 20 years of age, can keep up to 20-30 years.

Nos suggestions

White meats, game, red meats, cheeses.

Commentaire de dégustation

The 2022 is both powerful and silky. The red fruits are crispy on the attack. The mouth is full and velvety with great length

Météo

The 2022 vintage will be remembered by all. The particularly mild winter led to a very early budburst. Frosts were avoided during the cool nights of April. Once again, the Gironde estuary served as a protector for Château Dauzac’s vineyard. Flowering began around May 15th in ideal weather conditions, but the end of flowering was marked by violent storms. Fortunately, the vineyard was spared from hail. This last rainy episode then gave way to a very hot and dry summer. The drought was the most concerning element of this vintage. Herbal teas applied regularly to the vines helped them to strengthen their resistance and cope with this climate. August only rain helped the vines to complete their veraison. The harvest took place under exceptional weather conditions from September 5th to 26th. The overall yield was small due to the lack of water but the remarkable quality will make the 2022 vintage one of the greatest ever known in Bordeaux.

2021

Elegance and precision for this very fine vintage.

Blend

70% Cabernet Sauvignon
30% Merlot

Ageing potential

At its best between 5 and 20 years of age, can keep up to 20-30 years.

Our suggestions

White meats, game, red meats, cheeses.

Tasting notes

The 2021 vintage is both subtle and complex. Pure, fresh fruit attack gives way to a full, silky mouthfeel where the red fruit and minty notes fuse. The fleshy, velvety texture provides very nice length.

Weather

One vintage follows another but no two are alike. The 2021 vintage called for a lot of patience and commitment. We worked relentlessly to protect our vines from disease pressure. The vintage began by an especially mild and rainy winter. Bud break was uniform and occurred early but the extra-cold and rainy spring meant that the head start was soon lost. During the spell of frost in April, Château Dauzac’s vineyards were protected due to their proximity to the Gironde estuary, which acts as a natural thermal regulator. Flowering began around May 25th in ideally warm and dry weather. June was especially rainy, with approximately 127% more rain than average. At times, the rain had an impact on flowering, with traces of coulure (also known as shatter) and millerandage. The cold and damp summer called for watchfulness at all times. Mildew pressure increased and was more intense. Preventing the mildew from developing turned out to be one of the summer’s main goals. Veraison was delayed due to the 20% lack of sunshine, while temperatures remained cool and below average. Uniform veraison was only reached between August 15th and 20th. Harvesting began on September 22nd in our earliest-ripening Merlot plots and ended October 13th with our grand Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which managed to take advantage of the sunny days after the rainy spell in early October. Plot-by-plot selection and meticulous sorting of the grapes harvested allowed for high-quality winemaking. The mature balances are reminiscent of the past century’s great vintages: aromas of crisp fruit, lots of subtlety and great length on the palate. It has the freshness and structure that have made Bordeaux wines so famous.

2020

Meticulous choices regarding ripeness and a carefully controlled extraction process enable the 2020 vintage to express all its elegance and flavour.

Blend

72% Cabernet Sauvignon
28% Merlot

Ageing potential

At its best between 5 and 20 years of age, can keep up to 20-30 years.

Our suggestions

White meats, game, red meats, cheeses.

Tasting notes

“With its deep colour – a sign of an anthocyanin-rich wine – the 2020 vintage is subtly rich with a pleasant tension that characterises great vintages.”

Weather

The months of March and April were quite mild, encouraging dynamic, early budburst about two weeks ahead of time. Mechanical soil tillage in the spring stimulated the vine to develop its root system in depth, allowing the plant to resist drought. An essential agronomical factor this year that enabled well-structured ripeness. Flowering occurred between May 25th and June 1st. The warm, dry summer which followed led to excellent grape ripeness. The lack of rainfall brought about a slight water deficit, a situation that created natural concentration with ripeness evolving nicely until harvest time. The use of biodynamic preparations in the vineyards allowed the vine to face the summer’s high temperatures and drought in good conditions. For the Merlot grapes, harvesting began on September 10th, ending on September 17th. We were seeking fruit and complexity. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were picked from September 21st to the 30th, before the weather conditions deteriorated.

2019

Finesse and complexity

Blend

73% Cabernet Sauvignon
27% Merlot

Ageing potential

At its best between 5 and 20 years of age, can keep up to 20-30 years.

Our suggestions

White meats, game, red meats, cheeses.

Tasting notes

Château Dauzac 2019 is a wine that expresses outstanding fruit vibrancy. It is very well-balanced and composed of dense tannins that flaunt rarely-achieved finesse and elegance.

Weather

The 2019 vintage was subjected to certain weather conditions, which led us to spending more time in the vineyards. After a winter back-and-forth between mild and cold spells, bud break came fairly early. Flowering occurred quickly thanks to the mild weather in late May and early June. However, rainfall disrupted the smooth development of the flowering on the Merlot grapes, triggering a little coulure (also known as shatter) and millerandage, leading to looser, less compact bunches, and lowering the yield in favour of quality. Then in late June and into July, a heatwave settled across southwestern France. The heatwave, coupled with a slight lack of water, caused the vines to develop minor water stress, beneficial for stopping growth and conducive to grape ripeness. In late July, bunches in the vineyards were thinned out by our teams to eliminate the unbalanced berries and make veraison more consistent. Harvesting began on September 17th and ended on October 10, 2019.

2018

Excellence delivered...

Blend

68% Cabernet Sauvignon
32% Merlot

Ageing potential

At its best between 5 and 20 years of age, can keep up to 20-30 years.

Our suggestions

White meat, poultry, red meat, game, cheese.

Tasting notes

The 2018 vintage, with a level of quality seldom achieved, is characterized by hints of spicy, ripe cherry, very nice concentration and exceptionally silky tannins.

Weather

Like for all great vintages, the weather played an essential role in structuring the 2018 vintage. A mild winter – one of the mildest since 1900 – with substantial rainfall for the first six months of the year allowed the vines to develop extremely well. Research conducted over the past three years at Château Dauzac on the use of algae as an alternative for fighting powdery mildew to reduce copper treatments significantly contributed to keeping our vineyard in very good health. After flowering, which was quick and even, a total change in climate occurred with a four-month period that was dry, warm and sunny. The groundwater supply and the outstanding summer months helped bring about complex and subtle ripening of the grapes. The harvests were conducted from September 17th to October 8th in excellent conditions with meticulous plot by plot selection. In compliance with the biodynamic calendar, this vintage was harvested on fruit days for grand terroir wines. The alcoholic fermentations were done with yeasts naturally selected in our vineyard. The symbiosis between the terroir, yeasts and varietals succeeded in producing very delicate, great complexity, rarely reached in previous years. In 2018, production was 45 hectolitres per hectare.

2017

As wine-makers can attest, years ending in 7 always have surprises in store...

Blend

69% Cabernet Sauvignon
31% Merlot

Ageing potential

S’exprime à son meilleur entre 5 et 20 ans, pour vieillir jusqu’à 20-30 ans.

Our suggestions

White meat, poultry, red meat, game, cheese.

Tasting notes

Peak expression after 5 to 10 years, can be aged for 20 to 30 years.

Weather

After a rather dry and sunny winter, the month of March was mild, causing the first vine leaves to appear very early. The heavy spring frost in the Bordeaux region at the end of April spared all of Château Dauzac’s vineyards with their bench of gravel located near a river. There were mild temperatures in May, with rapid and even flowering at the end of the month. The summer, with average temperatures, was marked by a water deficit. The first rainfalls in September were worrisome but once again, Château Dauzac’s geographic location between a river and forest which causes air to flow through clouds limited rainfall during harvesting. The harvest was rapid: we started the Merlot on 14 September and ended the Cabernet Sauvignon on 4 October. The main terroirs were harvested primarily on fruit days according to the biodynamic calendar. The harvest was highly homogeneous with impressive maturity. Careful intra-plot selection work resulted in high-precision vinification.

2016

Extremely rich and precise without being excessive...

Blend

71% Cabernet Sauvignon
29% Merlot

Ageing potential

At its best between 5 and 10 years of age, can keep up to 15-25 years.

Our suggestions

White meat, poultry, red meat, game, cheese.

Tasting notes

The 2016 vintage is extremely rich and precise without being excessive, revealing bright fruit and a dense and complex raw material. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend gives it an exceptional acidity/alcohol balance that is an indication of a great vintage.

Weather

The climate at the beginning of the year was oceanic; there was then a long period of sun and heat until September 13, when precipitation allowed the vines to reach full maturity. An Indian summer in October resulted in the longest harvest in the history of Château Dauzac (21 days), enabling us to pick the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at peak maturity. The 2016 vintage is extremely rich and precise without being excessive, revealing bright fruit and a dense and complex raw material. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend gives it an exceptional acidity/alcohol balance that is an indication of a great vintage.

2015

Highly refined and precise, the 2015 vintage reflects splendid nt appes at optimal maturity.

Blend

72% Cabernet Sauvignon
28% Merlot

Ageing potential

2017 – 2030

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat, white meat

Tasting notes

Highly refined and precise, the 2015 vintage reflects splendid nt appes at optimal maturity. The mouthfeel is impressively elega nd smooth. It is well-balanced with a touch of freshness and thus has exceptional ageing potential.

Weather

The summer heat gave way to the brightness of September, leaving behind the memory of very homogeneous flowering and a dry, temperate summer, promising a great vintage. Light rain in August and mid-September restored a healthy glow to the leaves, thus allowing the grapes to become packed with aromas, tannins, sugars and anthocyanins.

2014

A wealth of tannins and infinite suppleness make this wine an exquisite enigma. Powerful and delicate at the same time, Dauzac wine never cheats, always astonishes and ages marvelously.

Blend

68% Cabernet Sauvignon
32% Merlot

Recommended for

2017 – 2030

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat, white meat.

Tasting notes

Appearence : Deep purple color with ruby’s understone Nose : very delicate and complex with hints gingerbread Mouth : very soft and subtle tannins and aromas, subtle mouth Feel with long lasting soft blackcurrant tannins well balanced wine with a silk texture promising long lasting aging potential.

Weather

The year 2014 was characterized by an atypical Climate with a mild, rainy winter And an early spring with mild temperatures and cool nights. It was an early year similar to 1990 and other great vintage years. The Month of May was mixed with cool periods and 30°C. Flowering took place in good conditions with some Grape shatter for the merlots, promoting the aeration of the bunches. A disappointing summer with bad weather slowed down vine growth. The autumn was fabulous in September and October, it was dry and warm, the warmest on Record for 100 years, making possible to concentrate the grapes And achieve exceptional ripeness.

2013

In the lifetime of a vineyard, certain vintages leave a lasting impression. The 2013 vintage will be a milestone in the story of mankind and a terroir.

Blend

70% Cabernet Sauvignon
30% Merlot

Recommended for

2017 – 2030

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat, white meat.

Tasting notes

Appearance: A bright red with glints of garnet. Nose: Fruity with notes of blackcurrant and mocha. Mouth-feel: Full-bodied with smooth tannins, concentrated and lively with an inviting aroma and delightful freshness. A fine wine, both precise and elegant, with the mineral endnote often attributed to the quality of cabernet sauvignon.

Weather

2013 began under the influence of the Atlantic climate, resulting in a later bud break. Blossoming occurred in less than ideal conditions causing heavy “coulure” in the merlot grapes and consequently a smaller yield. The cabernet sauvignon benefited from suitable conditions, promising good homogeneity. The weather warmed back up at the beginning of July with summer conditions arriving in August. Consistent sunshine facilitated very satisfying ripening, particularly in the cabernet grapes. Favorable conditions in August and at the beginning of September encouraged the vines’ synthesis of phenolic compounds (tannins and anthocyanins) and production of high quality grapes.

2012

A wealth of tannins and infinite suppleness make this wine an exquisite enigma. Powerful and delicate at the same time, Dauzac wine never cheats, always astonishes and ages marvelously.

Blend

63% Cabernet Sauvignon
37% Merlot

Recommended for

2015 – 2030

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat, white meat.

Tasting notes

Appearance: Purple with shades of violet Nose: A complex bouquet with notes of blackcurrant and mocha Mouth-feel: A dark fruit aftertaste with a lively attack producing an elegant freshness. An endnote of licorice with a lasting freshness that confirms the high quality of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The neat tannins are testimony to an ideal maturation.

Weather

The 2012 vintage is the subject of much discussion. It is recorded as a very technical year with humid conditions from April to June, followed by a mild summer. To achieve the level of quality we maintain, our teams were more vigilant than ever in their efforts to reduce any risk of disease. These efforts were successfully rewarded, allowing a harvest of high quality grapes.

2011

A wealth of tannins and infinite suppleness make this wine an exquisite enigma. Powerful and delicate at the same time, Dauzac wine never cheats, always astonishes and ages marvelously.

Blend

65% Cabernet Sauvignon
35% Merlot

Recommended for

2016 – 2026

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat, white meat, mixed salad.

Tasting notes

Appearance: A very deep purple that corresponds to the great wines that Château Dauzac has produced in the last few years. Nose: One immediately notices the power of its aromas that are rich with promise. Today, Dauzac joins the powerhouses of the appellation, and the density of this vintage will put it directly in the light in four to five years, after the first phase of aging in bottles. Made to last, it will maintain its aromatic complexity (grilled, liquorice) which is noticeable today. Mouth-feel: The tannic structure is full and powerful with a well-mastered woodiness. The perfect balance will make this Cru Classé accessible very soon. Ideally, it will be paired with grilled red meat. One could also serve it with roasted duckling or a capon in sauce…

Weather

From February to June, temperatures were largely higher than the average and rainfall significantly less than the usual amount. Drought conditions were observed at the end of spring.

2010

A wealth of tannins and infinite suppleness make this wine an exquisite enigma. Powerful and delicate at the same time, Dauzac wine never cheats, always astonishes and ages marvelously.

Blend

65% Cabernet Sauvignon
35% Merlot

Recommended for

2015 – 2025

Game, cheese, red meat, white meat.

Tasting notes

Appearance: Today, Dauzac’s wine is a perfect example of a Margaux, thanks to the efforts of its production team. The 2010 vintage boasts a deep and dense ruby colour. Nose: Its already voluptuous and powerful bouquet of mocha and forest fruits is communicated through delicious flavors in its attack. Mouth-feel: Next come harmony and balance with savory notes (vanilla, coffee, chocolate), all the trademarks of great wines. The smooth, almost endless finish allows lengthy cellaring. This wine will improve remarkably over time to be the perfect accompaniment to pheasant in pastry or roast beef with porcini mushrooms.

Weather

Winter was harsh (with numerous frosts) and spring was fairly cool. Sunshine was abundant throughout 2010. The period from June 21st to the end of September was consistently dry, which proved beneficial to the vines.

2009

A wealth of tannins and infinite suppleness make this wine an exquisite enigma. Powerful and delicate at the same time, Dauzac wine never cheats, always astonishes and ages marvelously.

Blend

64% Cabernet Sauvignon
36% Merlot

Recommended for

2015 – 2035

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat, white meat.

Tasting notes

Appearance: The purple color—with shades of ruby—is very dark, deep, and almost black. Nose: A nose that is immediately very intense, rich and indicative of the quality of the grape from the 2009 vintage. Ripe, black fruit mixes with notes of chocolate, vanilla and spices. Soft scents of animal and leather emerge when it is agitated. The diversity of aromas is remarkable. Mouth-feel: This wine is immediately generous and smooth on the palate. The tannins are silky and surprisingly rich, creating an imposing yet perfectly balanced backbone. The aromas that emerge on the palate are as varied and intense as they are in the nose. Very ripe fruit, almost prune, easily stand up to the woody, smoky character that lengthens the taste for many seconds. It is certainly one of the best Dauzac ever produced. Its suppleness and harmony will make it enjoyable very soon and for many years with preserves, game or stewed poultry.

Weather

Though January and February were colder than usual, 2009 was still a very hot year (one of the hottest of the century). Sunshine was in great abundance. The summer months were particularly dry.

2008

A wealth of tannins and infinite suppleness make this wine an exquisite enigma. Powerful and delicate at the same time, Dauzac wine never cheats, always astonishes and ages marvelously.

Blend

72% Cabernet Sauvignon
28% Merlot

Recommended for

2015 – 2030

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat, vegetables.

Tasting notes

Appearance: The Chateau Dauzac 2008 justifies its classification as a Medoc Cru Classe once again this year. Concentrated and elegant, it draws on the best qualities of its exceptional terroir and well-balanced vines. It has a dark and very deep color. Nose: Its nose brings to mind a basket of red and black fruits. Nothing is missing: blackcurrant, cherry, blackberry, raspberry… emphasized by a vanilla woodiness and very well blended. Mouth-feel: An impressive volume on the palate, yet still supple and without pretense. Its distinguished character is accentuated by persistent notes of smoke and liquorice. It deserves a bit of patience to be enjoyed at its best.

Weather

Humidity and cool temperatures can sum up this wine year’s weather conditions: most rainfall occurred in April and May (growing season) and summer was cool, particularly in June and August. The heat and drought of September encouraged the ripening of the grapes.

2007

A wealth of tannins and infinite suppleness make this wine an exquisite enigma. Powerful and delicate at the same time, Dauzac wine never cheats, always astonishes and ages marvelously.

Blend

57% Cabernet Sauvignon
43% Merlot

Recommended for

2012 – 2025

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat, white meat.

Tasting notes

Appearance: The wine is dark and deep in the glass Nose: In 2007, Dauzac shows the full range of its aromas. Leather, grilling, ripe fruit, coffee, tobacco, mocha and black fruit come together in a delicate blend. Mouth-feel: This wine is opulent from the moment it hits the palate. A direct attack carried by notes of blackberry, blackcurrant and vanilla is testimony toits youth as well as its very promising future. It has an excellent, distinguished structure. Chocolate flavor carries it through to a long-lasting finish. It will be wonderful with red meat or game in 3 to 4 years.

Weather

With cool and humid conditions from May to August, 2007 was not particularly favorable for ripening across the red grape varieties. However, an ideal September—both hot and relatively dry—allowed us to extend the harvest period in order to obtain a perfect maturity.

2006

A wealth of tannins and infinite suppleness make this wine an exquisite enigma. Powerful and delicate at the same time, Dauzac wine never cheats, always astonishes and ages marvelously.

Blend

62% Cabernet Sauvignon
38% Merlot

Recommended for

2012 – 2025

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat, white meat.

Tasting notes

Appearance: Superb blood red, deep and dark with glimmers of garnet Nose: Very fruity aromas (blueberry, blackcurrant, blackberry) underscored by sustained, empyreumatic notes of tobacco, smoke, toasted bread and liquorice. Leather is also present. Mouth-feel: Its richness on thepalate is remarkable, successfully combining versatility and concentration. The tannins are dense and particularly tight. The finish is full-bodied, smooth and long lasting. Woodiness, vanilla and chocolate conclude the persistent finish. Sumptuous. To be kept for 10 to 15 years before being enjoyed with farm-raised pigeon or a sautéed rib-eye steak.

Weather

Though the first quarter saw cool temperatures and rain (March rainfall was 3 to 4 times greater than the norm), 2006 was a hot year overall (ranking as the second hottest year since 1950) with a heat wave in July and a very mild, dry September.

2005

A wealth of tannins and infinite suppleness make this wine an exquisite enigma. Powerful and delicate at the same time, Dauzac wine never cheats, always astonishes and ages marvelously.

Blend

60% Cabernet Sauvignon
40% Merlot

Recommended for

2013-2030

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat.

Tasting notes

Appearance: An intense, deep ruby color—almost black Nose: An exceptionally powerful nose that has enchanted expert André Lurton—very focused on black fruit, black cherry and blackcurrant, but also possessing aromas contributed during the aging process: vanilla, tobacco and toasted bread. Mouth-feel: The attack is well rounded and it is structured and balanced on the palate. This is a full-bodied, concentrated yet refined wine that hints at notes of mint and liquorice. The finish is long. For those who prefer strong wines, it can be enjoyed immediately; however, it is better to wait 2 to 3 years before tasting this excellent 2005 with grilled or stewed meat.

Weather

Weather conditions were ideal in 2005 and produced a superb vintage for Bordeaux. Between winter and autumn, the weather was particularly dry for the region. Sunshine was abundant from the end of spring onward. Summer temperatures were high, but with no heat wave.

2004

A wealth of tannins and infinite suppleness make this wine an exquisite enigma. Powerful and delicate at the same time, Dauzac wine never cheats, always astonishes and ages marvelously.

Blend

52% Cabernet Sauvignon
48% Merlot

Recommended for

2012 – 2020

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat and chocolate desserts.

Tasting notes

Appearance: Dark, deep, garnet red—an intense color Nose: An intense nose with notes of ripe fruit, cherry and a touch of violet. Spicy, grilled, toasty and chocolate notes are also present. Mouth-feel: The attack is well rounded and smooth—this wine is supple and powerful. Flattering aromas such as prune are already emerging. The aromas in the nose are equally present on the palate: grilled, toasted, as well as red and black fruit notes. This is a warm and complex wine that is appreciated in its long-lasting finish. To be enjoyed now and for the next 10 years, even more so.

Weather

This vintage follows a 2003 that brought a small harvest due to drought and high summer temperatures. In 2004, flowering brought surprising blossom fertility and grape size. The bud break began in April, but the vegetation did not develop due to the rain and cold. The month of July saw good sunshine and sparse rain, but a fairly normal temperature, save for a few spikes up to 32°C / 89.6°F at the end of the month. On the contrary, August brought heavy rainfall with little sunshine and fairly low temperatures. September was satisfactory with a good amount of sunshine and cool nights, which prevented any rot from setting in. The harvests began on September 24 and finished on October 16.

2003

A year of heat waves produced atypical wines. The vintage can be described as a new style with very expressive aromas.

Blend

64% Cabernet Sauvignon
36% Merlot

Recommended for

2012 – 2020

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat and chocolate desserts

Tasting notes

Appearance: A deep color with cherryred reflections Nose: Powerful, with spicy notes of vanilla and liquorice, toasted and smoky with notes of plum to finish. Mouth-feel: Very well balanced, smooth tannins, an elegant wine to be enjoyed now and for the next 5 to 6 years.

Weather

A year of heat waves produced atypical wines. The vintage can be described as a new style with very expressive aromas. The merlots suffered most from the intense heat making it necessary to harvest them early in order to save the freshness of the grapes.

2002

Though October 2001 was hot, November and December were cold. The first three months of 2002 were fairly hot and very dry.

Blend

64% Cabernet Sauvignon
36% Merlot

Recommended for

2012 – 2025

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat and chocolate desserts

Tasting notes

Apparence : Rubis. Appearance: Ruby-colored, Dauzac 2002 is now entering its mature phase Nose: A nose with caramel, black fruit, leather and smoke that develops gently and slowly in the glass Mouth-feel: Utterly refined. It is smooth with a supple attack. Its aromas of cooked fruits and smoke are delicious. Plum and undergrowth combine with the flavor of liquorice stick for the finish. With notes of nuts and curry, it is already remarkable.

Weather

Though October 2001 was hot, November and December were cold. The first three months of 2002 were fairly hot and very dry. The bud break came early thanks to mild conditions in the beginning of the year and was generalized by the last week of March. Sprouting was abundant and required significant thinning, therefore promising a respectable harvest.

2001

Weather conditions for the 2001 vintage began with a particularly rainy winter.

Blend

64% Cabernet Sauvignon
36% Merlot

Recommended for

2012 – 2025

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat and chocolate desserts

Tasting notes

Appearance: A colorful, intense garnet Nose: Toasty, roasted notes, great finesse, ripe fruits. Mouth-feel: Concentrated, powerful, full-bodied, with round, full tannins and a delightful finish.

Weather

Weather conditions for the 2001 vintage began with a particularly rainy winter. From October 2000 to March 2001, precipitation reached 1,004mm—almost twice the average over the last twenty years and largely surpassing the yearly norm (886mm). In addition to abundant rainfall, the winter was fairly mild—+1.8°C on average. The mild winter temperatures incited a premature start for vine activity. April continued the previous months’ mild weather trend, with rainfall at +58mm. Around April 20, temperatures dropped, threatening frost; however, the Dauzac vineyard was ultimately unaffected. Over the months of May and June, temperatures were higher than usual and rainfall 50% below the norm. Flowering, which began at the end of May, was fast and homogeneous. The rain returned in July during which time 103mm were recorded—two times the norm—with cool temperatures for the first twenty days and a switch to hot, dry conditions in the last week. August was hot and moderately rainy. The ripening process was fairly slow to start due to the alternating rain and heat.

2000

For the Southwest in general — and particularly the Bordeaux region — the 2000 vintage will remain engraved in winegrower’s memories for its extended harvests, which lasted from 20 September to 13 October.

Blend

68% Cabernet Sauvignon
32% Merlot

Recommended for

2015 – 2030

Our suggestions

Game, cheese, red meat.

Tasting notes

Appearance: A very colorful, deep red with shades of terracotta Nose: Notes of toasted bread crust and mocha. Aromas of forest undergrowth, mushrooms and roasted plum. Mouth-feel: Very concentrated and ripe with round, full tannins Nez : Notes grillées de croûte de pain et de moka. Aromes de sous-bois et champignons et de pruneaux cuits. Bouche : Très concentré, très mur avec des tannins ronds et plein

Weather

The first three months of 2000 were slightly warmer than usual: the sum of average daily temperatures was consistently 10% higher and precipitation was significantly less. Though April temperatures were normal, precipitation was quite heavy (173mm versus the usual 70mm). May was hot and fairly rainy. June and July were also hot and relatively humid while August was hot (+1.5°C) and dry, with rainfall at 30mm. Weather conditions allowed vintners to pick healthy grapes across the various vines, all boasting a constitution rarely seen in recent years.

Continue exploring Château Dauzac

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