Château Dalem - Fronsac 2022

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

At the helm since 2002, Brigitte Rullier-Loussert succeeded her father, Michel Rullier, who purchased the property in 1955. She has fully grasped the potential of this 12-hectare vineyard, south-facing on clay-limestone slopes. The 18th-century château and its grounds overlook the Isle Valley. The energetic, but sometimes abrupt, style has happily softened, and the wines, without losing their vigor, have gained considerably in refinement. Excellent value for money.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

One of the oldest Fronsac estates, established in 1610, and undoubtedly one of the finest. Overlooking the Isle Valley, the vineyard is divided between Château Dalem (12 hectares), the flagship label, and Château de la Huste (8 hectares). Owned by the same family for three centuries before being sold in 1955 to Michel Rullier, it has been managed since 2020 by his daughter, Brigitte Rullier-Loussert.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

This estate, situated in the finest terroirs of the Fronsac region, between the plateaus and hillsides of Saillans, has nothing to envy in its neighbors. Highly competitive, the wines remain reasonably priced; they emphasize fruit with subtle aging. It is with this in mind that a new winery was built: the stainless steel tanks allow for more precise work on the different plots. This precision has paid off, as the estate has earned its first star, confirmed by a superb 2020 vintage tasted en primeur.

James Suckling

About the wine:

A fresh and complex Fronsac, with subtle aromas of cocoa powder that enhance notes of ripe red fruit, along with hints of ink, graphite, and spices. Almost full-bodied without being heavy, it features vibrant tannins that carry the fruit through to a long, lively finish. The tannins are chalky and already integrated. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Delicious now, it will age beautifully over the next 8 to 10 years.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

What a wealth of flavors, complexity, and freshness in this Dalem, which shines with notes of red berries as much as it does with its chalky character. Dense and velvety on the palate, the wine combines breadth and vigor. It displays a serene and well-rounded character, promising a bright future while already being utterly delicious! A truly fine wine. 2026–2047

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Deep, intense, purple color. A very aromatic, refined, pure, fruity, and subtle nose. Delicately full-bodied on the palate, with a classy texture and plenty of flavor, the wine unfolds with noble elegance. A smooth, velvety body. A juicy, fragrant finish with a fine texture. This presentation is a far cry from the typical perception of Fronsac. It is both unsettling and magnificent.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Opulent, ripe, round, and full-bodied, this wine opens with notes of incense, flowers, chocolate, and spices. The palate is even more impressive, with rich, sweet, and indulgent flavors of ripe fruit, as if coated in chocolate. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2038.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Intense purple color with violet highlights and a black core. A powerful, elegant, and persistent nose, with delicate and expressive aromas of ripe black fruits, blackberries, black cherries, and juicy plums. Elegant spices with notes of vanilla, dark chocolate, and gingerbread, as well as hints of tobacco and flowers in the background. On the palate, it is elegant and well-structured, with ripe tannins, delicate and expressive fruit, subtle minerality, subtle oak, and some floral notes on the finish. A wine of great purity and finesse.