Chateau Dalem 2025

Decanter: Lovely floral aromas are complemented by bright red berry fruit and subtle toast from the 40% new oak for aging. The palate is juicy and fruit forward with impressive tannic structure. The balance between alcohol, acidity and tannin is very good in this vintage. The success comes in no small part from the judicious extraction managed by consultant Eric Boissenot, his fifth vintage with this estate, as well as the cool clay and limestone soils. Bravo!"

Vinum: Tiefgründig, leicht rauchig, reife Himbeere, Cassis, mineralische Untertöne; kompakter Gaumen, gut Strukturiert, feinste Gerbstoffe, hervorragende Balance, die Frucht ist knackig, der Wein endet frisch und langanhaltend. Ein hervorragender Fronsac voller Eleganz."

Falstaff: Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart kräuterwürzig unterlegte Nuancen von frischen Herzkirschen, tabakig, zartes Brombeerkonfit. Saftig, elegant, rotbeerige Nuancen, feine Tannine, angenehme Extraktsüße, mineralisch-salziger Abgang, zeigt Reifepotenzial."

The Wine Cellar Insider: Flowers, black raspberries, chocolate, licorice, mint, and cherries create the aromatic profile. The supple, fresh palate delivers its layers of sweet fruits, filling your palate with pleasure on demand. This is a screaming value for a wine this good. This will be easy to enjoy on release, or you can age it for 12 or more years. The wine blends 89% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec. Drink from 2028-2042."

James Suckling: A well-balanced, precise and succulent red with fresh plums and flowers on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Silky and refined, with a flavorful finish."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Dalem bursts with flamboyant notes of fresh black plums and juicy strawberries, opening out with an undercurrent of cedar chest, dusty soil, and garrigue. Medium-bodied, the palate is lightly chewy and refreshing with bags of spiced red and black fruit and a cedar-laced finish. The blend is 89% Merlot, 1% Malbec, and 10% Cabernet Franc. The alcohol is 13.5%."

Jeb Dunnuck: Black cherries, framboise, sappy flowers, and violet all emerge from the 2025 Château Dalem, a classic Right Bank expression of sumptuousness from Fronsac. Based on 89% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec that will spend 18 months in 40% new French oak, it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a pretty, focused, elegant mouthfeel, nicely integrated tannins and acidity, and outstanding length."