Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
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.
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Vinous
The 2022 Dalem is a gorgeous, sensual wine. Sweet red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and spice abound in a Fronsac that impresses with its energy and nuance. Dalem is once again terrific in 2022.–Antonio Galloni
Barrel Sample: 91-93 -
Decanter
Bright and lively, a little raw and high toned but settles with a mineral grip to the fine tannins and lots of cool blueberry fruit and chalky, stone touches. Lively, succulent and fun, a little tense and straight still, not yet widening, but this has purity and definition and will be easy to drink.
Barrel Sample: 92 -
Jeb Dunnuck
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.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Home of the very first remarkable Right Bank wines, dating back to the 1730s, Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac actually retained more fame than Pomerol well into the 19th century. Today these wines represent some of Bordeaux’s best hidden gems.
Fronsac is a very small region at an unusually high elevation compared to other Bordeaux appellations. Its vineyards unroll along the oak-dotted hills bordering the river’s edge, making it perhaps Bordeaux’s prettiest and most majestic countryside.
Merlot covers 60% of the vineyard acreage; the rest of the vines are Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac appellations are limited to the higher land where soils are predominantly limestone and sandstone. Lower vineyards along the Dordogne River mainly qualify for Bordeaux AOC status
The best Fronsac are deeply concentrated in ripe red and black berry; they have a solid mineral backbone and are rich and plush on the finish.