Château Dauzac, Margaux, 5ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, 2003

An atypical year due to the heatwave, and it comes through in the glass in the form of a wine that has plenty of interest but less Margaux signature than the other vintages on display. The vines delivered very small grapes in 2003, so the final yield was the smallest on record, at 30hl/ha compared to a usual 45hl/ha, with the same number of grapes but far less juice in each one. In terms of flavours and aromatics, things are a little more exotic and spicy, with lower acidity. In a year like 2003, the age of the vines was key - of course, gravel suffered because it got so hot and couldn't cool down so much at night compared to limestone or clay, but on the Labarde plateau where Dauzac has most of its vines they have deep roots. This comes through in the still-beating form and shape of this wine. (NB: Bottle label may not correspond to precise vintage)