2018 Dalem
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2018 Dalem is quite backward on the nose, opening gradually to offer blackberry, licorice and very light menthol aromas; you just want to give the aromatics a polite kick up the backside. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Quite juicy in the mouth, delivering black cherries and cassis toward the well-defined, persistent finish. Excellent, but give it 24 months in bottle, because the nose needs time to find its mojo.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Beautiful cassis, violets, and orange blossom notes emerge from the 2018 Château Dalem. It has a certain modern style, delivering classy oak, yet it has good minerality on the palate, medium to full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This ripe yet balanced, lively 2018 has lots to love and is going to keep for a decade.
The 2018 Dalem is silky, elegant and polished. There is plenty of the richness it showed as a barrel sample, but all the elements have come together quite nicely. Silky tannins and lifted floral notes offer a striking contrast to the inky dark fruit, chocolate, espresso and spice flavors.
A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Dalem has a deep garnet-purple color and compelling notes of blackberry preserves, wild blueberries and ripe, juicy black plums, with hints of dark chocolate, licorice and black olives. The full-bodied palate (15% alcohol) appears bright and fresh with the lively black fruits framed by soft, velvety tannins, finishing long and savory. Nicely done!