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Breakthru Beverage
The Wine
Dedicated to the expression of a terroir and dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Château Dauzac reveals a nicely complex bouquet. On the palate, it balances the richness of its tannins with its fruit-driven aromatics. A wine capable of aging for a decade.
2022 is one of the great modern Bordeaux vintages, producing wines that are powerful, dense and ripe but shockingly fresh and well-balanced despite record heat and drought. A particularly mild winter led to a very early budburst, Once again, the Gironde estuary served as a protector for Château Dauzac’s vineyard, and it managed to avoid the hail that damaged so many others. Drought was the most concerning element of this vintage, and Dauzac helped their vines survived by regular applications of herbal teas that strengthened their resistance. Rain finally came in August and helped the vines complete their veraison. Harvest was blessed with exceptional weather from its start on September 5th to its completion on the 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.
The Winery
Château Dauzac is located in Labarde in the Margaux appellation and holds the rank of Cinquième Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 Classification.
The estate covers 118 acres, mostly in Margaux with 10 acres in Haut‑Médoc. Its proximity to the Gironde estuary helps moderate temperatures and protect the vines, while the deep gravel outcrops provide ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard is densely planted at ten thousand vines per hectare, with an average vine age of thirty‑five to forty years, and the varietal mix is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and a small amount of Petit Verdot.
Dauzac’s winemaking emphasizes purity, elegance, and aromatic complexity. The fruit is hand‑harvested and double‑sorted before fermentation in wooden vats fitted with transparent double staves. Aging takes place entirely in French oak, about sixty‑five percent new, for fifteen months. The chateau crafts wines with deep color, refined tannins, and enticing aromatics of fruit, floral notes, and spice, offering a classic and age‑worthy Margaux.
Viticulture at Dauzac dates back to the twelfth century. In 1885, the estate played an important role in the development of the Bordeaux mixture of copper sulfate and lime, a breakthrough in combating vine diseases. The château’s distinctive imperial yellow label was introduced in 1924.
Today the estate is led by Managing Director Laurent Fortin, who has overseen a period of renewed focus on sustainability and innovation. Initiatives include a carbon‑neutral cuvée program as well as biodiversity efforts such as sheep grazing and on‑site beehives.
