Château Dalem 2021

Very pale color with delicate red fruit on the nose. On the palate, light-footed, fresh and juicy, superbly balanced, fine-grained tannins, lively acidity. An elegant Dalem.

Sleek and fresh, with dark cherry and tobacco notes laced seamlessly with a singed cedar note, finishing with a subtle tug of warm earth at the end. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 5,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported.

Lightly presented with purity of blueberry and red cherry fruit, though missing some extra density towards the mid palate. I like the finesse, it’s certainly delicate, and nothing harsh, just lacks a bit of energy. Good acidity, slightly chalky tannins and a clean, mineral finish. It’s not bad, but equally not that filled with flavour.

Forward, soft, silky, fresh, clean, pure, red-berry-centric wine with lift and energy in the cherry- and red plum–filled finish. You can drink this on release. Dalem has been on quite a roll lately, and 2021 is no exception. Drink from 2024–2034.

Possessing an almost Saint-Emilion-like minerality, the 2021 Château Dalem (90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc) has terrific red and black fruits as well as ample violet, spice, and ripe herbal nuances. Medium-bodied and balanced, with ripe tannins and a good sense of elegance, it's well worth following over the coming 10-12 years.

Bright, cheerful, sappy redcurrant, raspberry, red cherry—an array of fruit flavours adding to a sense of complexity and life, all on the fresh end of the fruit spectrum, with tannins that have bite. 50% new oak for ageing, yield of 32 hl/ha. Harvest from September 23 to October 12. Clay-limestone slopes.

The 2021 Dalem has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It begins a little oaky, before giving way to notes of plum preserves, Morello cherries, and blueberry pie, plus a touch of sautéed herbs. Medium-bodied, the palate has good density and structure, with nice ripe tannins and an earthy finish.

Subtle and inviting, Dalem reveals nuances of black berries and mint, complemented by a touch of chocolate. Slightly creamy, the wine is well supported by its fine-grained tannins, which provide a certain breadth and go hand in hand with the acid structure. The latter brings a bit of character and a slight salinity on the finish. A fresh and sapid Dalem.

The nose offers a spicy edge and a certain depth. The wine benefits from decanting. It reveals notes of bigarreau cherry, ripe blackcurrant and, more subtly, spices, joined by lovely touches of racy minerality, a sense of place (local biotope), as well as hints of mocha, sap, anise and discreet spicy nuances. The palate is fruity and delivers juiciness, smoothness, freshness, good definition, a slight roundness and a gourmand character. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/pulpy blackberry, juicy/pulpy raspberry and, more delicately, blackcurrant, combined with floral touches, warm sap, as well as hints of infusion, star anise and a discreet touch of sweet spices. The tannins are elegant. The finish lingers on bright, chocolate-tinged cherry.

Dark, vibrant color. Moderately intense nose with precise fruit. Aromatic. Delicate on the attack, very aromatic mid-palate and, above all, very well structured; the wine stretches out on the finish, pleasant and perfumed, without an ounce of tannin. It’s very good. Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol: 13.5% – pH: 3.65. IPT: 78. Harvest dates: September 23 to October 12

Cherry rises immediately on the nose, juicy over a crunchy core, accompanied by hints of rhubarb and lilac. The palate is straight, tense, very direct, built on a slightly slender but lively frame with good balance. The tannins have a slight grit and the acidic weave is pronounced, yet the whole remains supple and digestible.

Strong ruby core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Delicate red cherry fruit and fine wild berries on the nose with discreet herbal savouriness and hints of vanilla and liquorice. Juicy, lean, fine fruit sweetness on the palate with a touch of strawberries and cherries, delicate, ripe tannins, with mineral notes and subtle nougat notes on the finish. Drinking well with good ageing potential.