Château Dalem 2020

Even after maturation, pronounced notes of oak remain; a powerful attack, untamed development, and a finish shaped by high extract; an imposing yet harmonious, excellently crafted wine that absolutely should be aged.

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. 7,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported.

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.

The floral bouquet is what you initially notice before moving on to its licorice, tobacco leaf, espresso, and chocolate-covered plum notes. On the palate, the wine is seductive with its silky textures and opulent nature. On the finish, the wine feels as good on the palate as it tastes. This is in contention for the best vintage of Dalem I have ever tasted. Drink from 2023–2038.

Ripe fruit, sweet cherry and kirsch with some aromatic herbs, discreet wood, some earthy notes, with a fresh and dense palate, finely rounded and digestible.

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.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: herbal, peppery, light bouquet, red berries, stone dust, smoke. Light, fresh palate with sweet fruit, good tannins, finely sandy tannins, medium aromatics, bitter finish.

Herbal, peppery, light bouquet, red berries, stone dust, smoke. Light, fresh palate with sweet fruit, good tannins, finely sandy tannins, medium aromatics, bitter finish. 16/20 2025 - 2036

Made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Dalem is deep garnet-purple in color. It opens with cedar and baked plum notes, followed by nuances of underbrush, cast-iron pan, and tilled soil. The full-bodied palate is packed with vibrant black fruits and cedary undertones, supported by fine-grained tannins and a lively backbone, leading to a long, minerally finish on this nice wine.

92-93

Dalem 2020 seems serene, composed. It has mastered the richness of the vintage and displays commendable harmony! Its tannins are fleshy and perfectly integrated. They provide breadth and promising ageing potential. An expressive, persistent wine. The limestone-driven freshness played a decisive role in 2020. Dalem benefits greatly from it! What energy in this wine!

The nose is elegant, aromatic, racy, and offers power (with finesse/delicacy), a certain concentration, as well as lovely finesse of grain. It reveals notes of vibrant blackcurrant, small blue fruits, and, more subtly, cornflower, combined with touches of liquorice/zan, crushed strawberry, grey pepper, spices, and fine hints of green cardamom, vanilla, a sense of place, and an imperceptible hint of black olive (in the background). The palate is fruity, balanced, racy, precise, and offers lovely finesse, a fine, attractive grain, juiciness, richness (with finesse), smoothness, delicately expressed power, a certain density (in balance), and a beautiful elongated/long finish. On the palate, this wine shows notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, vibrant blackcurrant, tangy/bright small blue berries, combined with touches of violet, tangy/fleshy small red fruits, cornflower, sweet spices, as well as fine hints of a sense of place, toastiness, hazelnut, a discreet hint of graphite, chocolate, and caramelization. The tannins are precise, relatively massive, and polished. Score: 17/20

Dark, intense, youthful color. A very aromatic nose—fruity, fresh, ripe, and subtle. Shades of flowers and red fruits. The palate is a suave, melting world of aromas, with brightness at mid-palate. A very pretty, delicious, long finish with a very well-coated grain. Lovely length.

Initially restrained with a certain aromatic sobriety, Dalem then reveals a delicate, deep, and refined bouquet that opens toward floral notes. The palate is focused, mouthwatering, and vibrant, with a lively texture carried by invigorating acidity.

Still wrapped in its demonstrative élevage, this 2020 needs another year in the cellar to express itself with refined finesse. It holds a gently handled substance, expressing ripe black fruits. Tasty tannins bring it an appealing structure. We are only waiting for the oak to fully integrate.