2019 Dalem, Fronsac

The 2019 Dalem offers almost Burgundian purity on the nose, where blackberry, bilberry, crushed stone and pressed iris petal commingle. The palate is beautifully proportioned and quite saline, with fine tannins and an almost pixelated finish, which delivers superb grip and density. This is an outstanding Fronsac that will live long in the bottle. Excellent. (NM)

Dalem can easily hold its own against wines priced at multiples more, and it’s been my favorite buy in Fronsac over the past decade. A double 94-pointer—Neal Martin praises its “almost Burgundian purity on the nose,” while Jeb Dunnuck calls it “a smoking deal”—the 2019 hits all the right notes, and we’re offering it with Bordeaux-direct provenance at the best price around. This property has been on my radar ever since I fell for the insanely good 2016. The 2019 impresses yet again, with copious black fruits, pepper, and stony minerality on the nose. But it’s the rich, mouth-coating texture that steals the show—waves of dark fruit lifted by fresh acidity, unfolding into a long, layered finish. A screaming deal that scratches the itch for Bordeaux lovers and is sure to please any crowd where corks are pulled, it’s hard not to love this towering value from a great vintage. It’s already delivering plenty of pleasure, but it will be fascinating to watch the 2019 Dalem evolve over time. With limited allocations beyond the current vintage, it’s a treat to be able to revisit this vintage at this stage in the game. I highly recommend going long on this one while it’s available—a great crossover wine, a true Bordeaux value, ageworthy yet accessible, and one of the best-kept secrets on the Right Bank.