Scrügy Appellation: Fronsac

Château de la Dauphine Fronsac 2005

dustinjacobsen — 13 Dec 2008 20:39:29

Reviewed by dustinjacobsen on Saturday, December 13, 2008 on Wine Reviews from WineLog.net

Earthy black plum flavors point toward the predominance of Merlot in this approachable wine from Frances Fronsac appellation, another source for good values. A touch of Cabernet Franc gives the wine a tea-leaf note.

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This wine boasts an intense, deep color. The bouquet is most expressive with hints of ripe red fruit. Delightful on the palate with lots of body and nice cong-lasting finish A modern wine combining good aromatic expression and dynamic structure to offer excellent volume and roundness.

Serving Suggestions: Perfect with stews, roast poultry, duck comfit or beef rib steak.

Composition: merlot 90%, Cab Franc 10%

Château de la Dauphine Fronsac 2005

tekpneu — 26 Sep 2008 02:10:14

Reviewed by tekpneu on Friday, September 26, 2008 on Wine Reviews from WineLog.net

Rich, spicy, almost opulent nose. Just this side of over-ripe. Despite it's stated alcohol of 14.5% everything about this wine suggests balance and harmony! A wonderous melody of cherries, earth, chocolate and spice, with just a hint of mint as it unfurls in the glass. No weight whatsoever on the palate--just haunting flavors that float and linger! A surprising wine, but then again, it's made by Denis Dubourdieu, the wine consultant of Cheval Blanc! Enjoyable now, it will improve for another 3 to 5 years. My score may prove to be a touch conservative!"

Composition: merlot 90%, Cab Franc 10%

2000 Château Beauséjour Fronsac

Winegeeks Wine Reviews — 24 Aug 2008 13:34:21

Reviewed by Winegeeks Wine Reviews on Sunday, August 24, 2008 on Winegeeks.com Wine Reviews

Mclaren_jk posted a review:

From the right bank in Bordeaux, Fronsac and Canon Fronsac are regarded as the little brothers of Saint Emilion and Pomerol. But while they don't have the same cache as those appellations, there's a lot to be said for their like.

Wines have been made here since the Roman times, so they know what they're doing in Fronsac. Chateau Mazeris (in the 'posher' Canon Fronsac region) has a great reputation and so it was with some excitement that I opened this 2000 vintage.

(The year 2000 was a great year for Bordeaux - maybe not as stellar as 2005 or 1995, but still superb.)

On the nose, the wine was open - its aromas were free-flowing (sometimes wines can seem 'closed') with lots of blackcurrant, a little bit of bramble, some leather and wood.

On the palate, it's intense and fruity - this is the merlot coming through. Again the blackcurrant and blackberry is there, with a little of plum and a smidgen of toffee on the very back of the finish.

It feels really, really smooth and luxuriant with silky tannins that at eight years old, are completely approachable. There's a lovely big structure - full bodied for sure - and the finish is long.

I actually think that this is a beautiful wine and for people who dip into Saint Emilion, this is a completely sensible alternative, offering what is good value. I don't think it's easy to find this quality for less than £20.

Rating: 4.35 / 5.00