【James Suckling 92 pts】【Wine Spectator 92 pts】
【Robert Parker 91 pts】【Jeb Dunnuck 90 pts】【Vivino4.0】
WF1006A - Chateau Dalem Fronsac 2017
Price: $240/pc
Region of origin: France / Bordeaux / Fronsac AOC
Grape varieties: 95% Merlot , 15% Cabernet Franc
Characteristic ageing: 14 months in French oak barrels (40% new oak)
Alcohol content: 14.5%.
【James Suckling 92 pts】
A very composed Fronsac here with blueberry and dark-plum aromas, as well as graphite and slate-like, dark-stone nuances. The palate has such fresh and defined tannins. Very balanced, too. A blend of 95%merlot and 5% cabernet franc. Drink or hold.
Chateau Dalem is the most emblematic winery in the region and one of the oldest in Bordeaux, founded in 1610. The first owner, Michel Rullier, modernised the winemaking techniques in 1955 with the aim of improving the quality of the wines and promoting internationalisation. His daughter Brigitte took over the reins in 2002, using her years of experience in the vineyard with her father to slowly build up her personal team and promote her wine philosophy internationally. Brigitte doesn't advocate the use of excessive barrels and maceration, and feels that everything has to be done in moderation, which is why she constantly tests the steps and the timing of the barrels for the most appropriate wines during the winemaking process. She therefore constantly tests each step of the wine making process and the timing of the vatting to get the most suitable results. She emphasises the naturalness and harmony of the wines, and is confident that she can achieve a balance of elegant, fresh flavours.
The winery's 33-hectare vineyard is planted with 90% Merlot, 95% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. The terroir is a mixture of clay and limestone soils, with a southern exposure and a south-eastern exposure. The vineyard can be subdivided into 16 different plots. The average age of the vineyards is 45 years and the density of vines planted ranges from 6,000 vines per hectare to 6,600 vines per hectare. This allows for space and a healthier growing environment The wines are harvested by hand, and to produce ChateauDalem wines, the wines are vinified in traditional, temperature-controlled, concrete vats. The vats are of different sizes and are vinified one by one. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the vats. Chateau Dalem's wines are aged for 18 months in 60% new French oak barrels before bottling. In 2008, the winery launched a secondary wine, Tenation de Dalem. Chateau Dalem's average annual production per vintage is nearly 5,500 cases. 2005.
【Fronsac弗龍薩克】
Fronsac is located a few miles west of the town of Libourne on the right bank of Bordeaux, close to the north bank of the Dordogne River, and is a famous wine-producing region in the eastern part of Bordeaux.
At the foot of the slopes in the region are mostly alluvial soils on the banks of the Dordogne River, which produce grapes of superior quality, while on the slopes the terrain is slightly elevated and the topsoil is mostly sandstone, limestone and clay, which allows the vines to withstand the hot weather. The resulting wines are more balanced in flavour, aroma and structure. In addition to the Dordogne River, the Isle River runs through the region, resulting in a temperate maritime climate in Fronsac. The microclimate created by this abundant water supply greatly reduces the effects of night frosts in spring and relieves the heat in summer, providing a very comfortable environment for the growth of grapes.
The vineyard covers an area of about 1,200 hectares and is planted mainly with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
(1) Merlot: The most important grape variety in the Fronsac region, with good growth, high ripeness and flavours of dried plums and mulberries, it is the grape variety with the largest proportion in Fronsac wines.
(2) Cabernet Franc: The second most widely planted grape variety, it is often blended with Merlot to provide backbone and flavour to the wine.
(3) Malbec: With a lower planting area compared to the previous two, it is mainly added during blending, so Fronsac's wines will be a little more complex and full-bodied due to the addition of Malbec.
(4) Cabernet Sauvignon: With less cultivation in this region, the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the wines of Fronsac is generally lower, mainly for the purpose of adding tannins and body complexity.
The resulting wines have a ruby red colour and a rich, distinctive bouquet with fruit and pepper aromas and spice notes. On the palate it is full-bodied and concentrated. Full-bodied, with heavy but not overpowering tannins, this wine will age well. Fronsac's wines are a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, pure, full-bodied and complex in character.
