Château Dalem - Fronsac 2022

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

At the helm since 2002, Brigitte Rullier-Loussert succeeded her father, Michel Rullier, who purchased this estate in 1955. She has come to fully appreciate this 12-hectare vineyard, which faces south on clay-limestone slopes. The 18th-century château and its grounds overlook the Isle Valley. The wines’ once-vigorous but sometimes harsh style has softened beautifully, and while they have retained their vigor, they have gained significantly in refinement. Excellent value for the price.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

One of the oldest estates in the Fronsadais region, founded in 1610, and undoubtedly one of the highest-quality. Overlooking the Isle Valley, the vineyard is divided between Château Dalem (12 ha), the flagship label, and Château de la Huste (8 ha). It remained in the same family for three centuries before being sold in 1955 to Michel Rullier; since 2020, it has been managed 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:

Located on some of the finest terroirs in the Fronsadais region, between the plateaus and hillsides of Saillans, this estate is every bit as good as its neighbors. While the wines are of a high standard, they remain affordably priced; they emphasize fruitiness with refined aging. To this end, a new winemaking facility was built: the stainless-steel tanks allow for more precise work with the different plots. This precision has paid off, as the estate has earned its first star, a distinction 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 the notes of ripe red fruits, 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 well-integrated. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Delicious now, it will age beautifully for the next 8 to 10 years.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

What a wealth of expressions, complexity, and freshness in this Dalem—it shines as much with its red berry notes as 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 delicious! A truly beautiful wine. 2026–2047

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Dark, intense, purplish 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 velvety body. A juicy, fragrant finish with a fine texture. This wine is a far cry from the typical perception of Fronsac. It’s both unsettling and wonderful.

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 delightful, with all these flavors of ripe, sweet, and indulgent fruit, as if coated in chocolate. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2038.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

An 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, refined and expressive fruit, a subtle minerality, delicate oak, and a few floral notes on the finish. A wine of great purity and finesse.