Red Wine from Fronsac

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The 2014 La Dauphine was a bit of a minx when I tasted it out of barrel, some bottles showing overripe character and others much fresher. Therefore, I did not score it and crossed my fingers. Well, I am glad I ignored...

Wine Spectator, 94 points: (WS91-94 points) This races along like it has somewhere to be, with excellent focus to the raspberry and cassis fruit, a flash of bay and a well-embedded chalky edge. Rock-solid. — J.M.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: (WA91-93 points) The 2016 Clos du Roy has a tightly wound bouquet with abundant black fruit waiting to unfold once in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded but firm tannin, engaging blackberry and bilberry...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: Right up there with the best of the Fronsacs, the 2009 Haut-Carles is a blend of 90% Merlot and the rest split between Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Boasting Dr. Alain Raynaud as the oenologist/consultant, an abundance of...

Wine Spectator, 92 points: Still primal with sappy kirsch and plum notes. There's also lots of sweet toast to be soaked up but this has a fleshy edge that belies the vintage's profile.-J.M.

Vinous, 91 points: The 2012 La Vieille Cure is once again a real overachiever. Round, succulent and deeply expressive, the 2012 hits all the right notes. A host of raspberry jam, iron, smoke, herb and spice notes meld together in this...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The basic Fontenil (95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) has a deep bluish purple color and relatively hefty alcohol at 14.5% but it is not noticeable in this full-bodied layered opulent wine with lots of black raspberry...

Wine Spectator, 94 points: (WS91-94 points) This races along like it has somewhere to be, with excellent focus to the raspberry and cassis fruit, a flash of bay and a well-embedded chalky edge. Rock-solid. – JM