Chateau Dalem 2020

Professional Ratings

• 94 James Suckling

  Aromas of spiced plums and cocoa-dusted blueberries with hints of walnuts and dry earth. Medium- to full-bodied with layers of fine-grained tannins and a chalky texture. Structured and concentrated with a vivid and crunchy dark fruit palate. Pure and succulent with notes of spices and dried herbs with a lingering finish.

• 93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Dalem leaps from the glass with notes of ripe black cherries, juicy blackberries and stewed plums, plus suggestions of garrigue, star anise and chocolate mint. The full-bodied palate is chock-full of wonderfully pure, expressive black fruits, supported by plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aging for approximately 14 months in French oak barrels, 52% new. Barrel Sample: 91-93

• 93 Vinous
  The 2020 Dalem, the first vintage under the consultancy of Eric Boissenot, has a tertiary, sous-bois infused bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit, discrete at first but opening beautifully in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, citrus-fresh with impressive focus, gradually building towards the clean and precise finish. This is a top-notch Fronsac that will give pleasure for 20-25 years. –Antonio Galloni
• 92 Decanter
  Crisp with real bite, upfront and almost sharp and tart, but stays just right with licks of wet stone, dark blackcurrant and liquorice giving that saline, savoury edge. Deep and layered, with real concentration and an intensity of flavour from start to finish, focused and streamlined so coming across as a bit strict but nice overall frame. Juicy too which is lovely. A great buy. A touch of alcohol still present, giving heat and expansive of potency on the finish, but I like this all the same. Impressive and precise.
• 91 Jeb Dunnuck
  Beautiful as always, the 2020 Château Dalem has a pure, vibrant, and elegant, medium-bodied style to go with textbook notes of chocolaty red and black fruits, some leafy herb and earthy nuances, beautiful minerality, and fine tannins. This up-front, textured, nicely balanced Fronsac is drinking nicely today yet has another 7-8 years, if not a decade, of prime drinking ahead of it.
• 91 Wine Spectator
  A solid version, with a core of dark cherry and red currant fruit laced with a taut, chalky mineral edge. Subtle tobacco and warm earth hints dot the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2034.