2022 Dalem
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Tasting notes
Darker currants, cassis, graphite, and spring flowers define the aromatics of the 2022 Château Dalem. It has a Saint-Émilion-like sense of minerality, a medium to full body, and a layered, pure style that has tons to love. Drink bottles over the coming 15 years or so. I wasn’t able to get the release price, but this wine is almost always a brilliant value.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Dalem no longer shows overripe traits on the nose as it did from barrel, attesting to prudence during its élevage. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and focused, with a touch of sapid black fruit. Lightly spiced with a splash of black pepper on the finish, this is a well-crafted Fronsac that deserves bottle age and will repay patience.
A superb value choice in the vintage. The fruit is dripping with juicy orange peel and slate minerality, and conveys both the exuberance of the vintage with the tension of limestone. Vineyard dating back to 1610, owned today by Brigitte Rullier. Tasted three times and a standout every time. Harvest September 14 to 29, 30hl/h yield, 50% new oak barrel, Eric Boissenot consultant, in one of his rare forays over to the Right Bank.
A fresh-toned and complex Fronsac, showing a touch of cocoa powder to the ripe berry fruit plus a hint of ink, graphite and spices. Almost full-bodied but not heavy, with vibrating tannins towing the fruit to a long, lively finish. The tannins are chalky and already dissolved. Merlot and cabernet franc. Delicious now but will hold well in the next eight to ten years.