Chateau Dalem, Fronsac

Dark ruby hue. Rich aromas of cassis, licorice, blackberry, leather, earthy, plum, black cherry, raspberry, and oak. Medium body and medium acidity. Silky tannins, a dangerously short and unassuming finish, with a hint of vanilla on the backend. Easy quaffing now (over 8 years) but far from its peak. Drink or hold. 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.

2017 vintage

Still not as striking as the 2016, but much improved. Black currant, raspberry, kirsch, and compost on the nose. Juicy red fruit on the palette. Decent structure from tannins; silky texture.

2017 vintage

Better on day 3 than day 1. Not bad but a bit disjointed. Tart cherry and medium tannins

2017 vintage

Definitely a step back from the 2018 and the superb 2019. Shows potential when opened - aromas of stewed plum and blueberry. Dark to the core, deep bodied with a rich mouthfeel. However it starts to fall apart on the mid palate with very little finish.

2017 vintage

Disappointing after the sheer surprise of the 2016 Dalem. Very restrained on the nose. Offers plum, red currant, charcoal, coffee and a hint of tobacco. Crabapple, very tart, on the palate. Decent body and structure, with sinewy tannins, offers some hope for the future, but will time tame the intense tartness?

2017 vintage

Deep red color with no fading on the edge but had a lot of sharp edgy tannin which I wonder will ever mellow out?

2012 vintage

Second bottle. Both purchased at retail. I thought the first to be dumb. This is much better. So, bottle variation from poor storage at retail. The nose is black fruit and fresh plums drawn with a crayon. The palate is not quite ripe blackberries being pelted by red acidic fruit. It’s well balanced and the finish is long and rewarding. Bummed it’s gone.

2017 vintage

I think this wine may be in its dumb phase. I couldn’t get it to open up much, though I could tell it wanted to be expressive. Even after two hours in the decanter, it was still tight and unevolved.

2017 vintage

Last of 3 bottles, and 19 months since we last tried. This bottle seems to have lost its fruit. I'd agree with others that its past its prime and not offering much beyond earthy notes and rich tannins. Pretty boring on its own. Will try a glass tomorrow with food and see if any fruit emerges.

2012 vintage

Fantastically balanced with red fruit and hint of black pepper.

2017 vintage

Big and delicious nose. Lots of berry fruit and plum there! Nice palate. Good bargain Bordeaux (bargain anywhere!) for sure, might improve a bit with a couple of years, as well. Great with a steak.

2017 vintage

Pleasantly surprised - drinking nicely at this point. Nice balanced. Went well with the pork.

2012 vintage

For the money, this is a rich, complex bordeaux, with pronounced tannins and long finish. Be careful of the last pour due to dregs.

2012 vintage

This performed much better than the last bottle. In a great spot and accessible without much of a decant.

2012 vintage

90% Merlot / 10% cab franc. Rather youthful for 2012 so will not drink more bottles of this for a few more years. Has interesting baking spice notes, along with high acid, and very oaky. Not showing great complexity. It got better over 4+ hours, enjoyed drinking but nothing memorable. Hopefully it evolves.

2012 vintage

With a kiss of oak on the front end, the wine is deeply colored, round, fleshy, sweet, ripe, polished and fresh, leaving with plums, fennel and cocoa in the round finish. The wine is made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

2017 vintage

Sweet aromas of violet, vitamin, strawberry, tobacco, coffee and leather. Clean, modern, floral and alive. Medium bodied with plenty of very fine, grippy tannin, medium acid, flavors of dark cherry, cacao and licorice flow into a fresh, medium length finish. Very good wine. Nice overall balance. Not a bruiser. 14.5% alcohol not conspicuous. Good right-bank character. Oak is evident but under control and should integrate nicely. Gained weight over two hours in the decanter and the tannin became more pronounced. …

2012 vintage

Rather new world style. Ripe fruit, minerality, plenty of oak, high alc content, drying finish. The tannins are quite big. A few years in the cellar should do it some good. Compares well with many a $40-50 California Cab.

2012 vintage

Oak seems to be the dominant theme here.

2012 vintage

Young Bordeaux with good sense of place. Black currant compote and cassis on the nose. It has more dark fruits and a chalky but rounded texture. This reminds me why Bordeaux is a classic wine region and how good Merlot can be. Dusty persistent finish. Lovely bottle.

2012 vintage

Decanted for an hour. Red to black licorice, dark blackberry, some plum. This isn't standing on its own like I would like it to; needs food, as another reviewer indicated. Grilling filets later, will be interested to see how it pairs.

2012 vintage

Tasted at Total Wine in Chantilly, VA on Friday, March 4, 2016. Nice deep color. Lovely wine at a decent value. Big Fronsac fan here. Medium bodied. 14.5% alcohol.

2012 vintage

From the half bottle format. This wine's just entering its drinking window. I could detect the Cab Franc, albeit only 10% of the blend. It lacked a bit of 'oomph', by that I mean body. Of course, we had just sampled decent Southern Italian wines and a full-bodied 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I wouldn't buy it again at its price point. Needs food.

2012 vintage

Nice bouquet but not much after that.

2012 vintage

Super aromatic nose of juicy black cherry, violet, cherry liquor and dark chocolate. Well balanced. Round, silky and fruit forward with a spicy and oaky finish.

2012 vintage

A screaming value, with its plush, round, textures, ripe, juicy, black plums, licorice and round, textures.

2012 vintage

Lots of Merlot going on here, soft, plummy, and traces of mineral, earth, and graphite on the finish. Better on the second day.

2012 vintage

Medium-bodied with a crisp red berry and anise-filled personality, this will drink well on release. 87-89 Pts

2012 vintage

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Chateau Dalem, Fronsac

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