A delicious wine that has been well handled comprising vibrant fruits with brambles and hedgerows keeping things on the right side of slick. A good job done here with the estate retaining biodynamics even through a tough vintage. The harvest took place between 21 September 21 and 15 October. Consultant Michel Rolland and Julien Viaud. 30% new oak was used. A yield of 35hl/ha. 93 points

The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 de la Dauphine delivers notes of fruitcake, plum pudding and Chinese five spice with touches of prunes, tobacco and dusty soil. Full-bodied, with a firm, chewy backbone and plenty of expressive berry preserves and spicy layers, it finishes earthy. 88-90 points

This is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. It has a fresh and lightly grilled style of fruit on the nose, with blackcurrant and curranty notes, as well as a gentle chalky freshness and lift. The palate shows a supple weight and breadth, with dark and purely expressed fruits, especially blackcurrant, damson, liquorice and brambles, with touches of black pepper, and the same limestone bite as was suggested on the nose. Firm, full, grippy and fresh, this has substance and an elegantly sinewy poise. Great tannic substance in the finish. This is a very fine vintage for La Dauphine. 93-95 points

The 2018 La Dauphine is silky, nuanced and super-expressive. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice, lavender and dried flowers add nuance. In some tastings, La Dauphine has come across as understated and classy, while towards the end of my en primeur tastings I saw a much richer, denser wine. Either way, La Dauphine is one of most compelling under the radar wines of the year. 89-91 points