Château Dalem Fronsac 2010 Bordeaux, $31.49-$34.99, 91 points, is a true Bordeaux in color, with elderberry and crushed black currant colors, dense from the core right up to the clear leggy glass rim.
Anise begins the complex aroma, with toasty sweet cooking spice, earth, and some lingering light floral quality.
The full body, carries typically good acidity, but the tannins are surprising sweet and layered, though not insignificant!
Flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, and red cherry are luscious, but there are subtle notes of coffee, licorice, and green herbs.
The finish breaks from the palate into a sustained sensation of white and red pepper spice with a touch of heat (15% alcohol).
Though it is often said that Bordeaux should be drunk after considerable age, this one is good right now too. However, and though a bit nebulas, I'm tasting and feeling that the full body and the high alcohol maybe just a bit too much octane for this wine. I would love it if a more mature palate noticed this and could comment.
Varietals are 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
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I would love your wine budget!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds a little young...and with alcohol that high, I very much doubt if it'd age that well.
Vinogirl, thx for the comments! Yeah, as I read more about these wines, it is not uncommon to see it said that a certain Bordeaux will age 5 to 10 years, and anther will age into infinitely; I'm guessing that you are right about this one. When I first opened this one it was great, but unlike most Red Bordeaux wines I've been tasting, this one did not hold-up that well, even five or six hours after opening it began a decline in my humble estimation.
DeleteAs for my wine budget, you have to remember that wine is my only hobby, and as the most boring person in the world, right now, it is the only thing I do; I'm totally immersed in it, and TASTING wine is my passion, and I try to do that with as much precision as my lowly skills will allow me. What really excites me is when I hit on a surprise "great" wine, one where I didn't have a clue, as it was with the Silverato SB or the Château Cantemerle, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, Haut-Médoc 2010 red Bordeaux, which though pricy, at that price point is well worth the money, for now and into the future. If I had the utility and the money I'd buy at least two or three cases of that wine; thankfully, the State has about 17 cases in total, and when the French wines go on their seemingly predictable 15% off sale, I'll be looking to buy a humble two more bottles to stash away.
DeleteI know: TMI
Did you see this as you were working your way through my blog?
ReplyDeletehttp://vinsanity-vino.blogspot.com/2009/05/blackbird-fly.html
Vinogirl, I'm sure I did, but I can't say that I had a "total recall" about it! Will you help me understand the significance of your referring to the post on the 1999 Chateau Cantemerle? Certainly you didn't like that vintage nearly as much as I liked the 2010!
DeleteJust a side note, one vintage chart had 1999 Bordeaux at 86 points Drink-now (1999)! 2010 was rated 97 points and Hold, but many "advocates" recommend that many 2010s are good enough to drink now, and I've found some.
Well, at almost 10 years old it was starting to decline - as the population of Brett was on the increase. Your 2010 is almost 3yrs old...how do you think it will fare in another 7 years?
ReplyDeleteVinogirl is showing that trained taxonomic talent again:)
DeleteI noticed no Brett at all in any of the 2010 Bordeaux wines I've tasted, but this wine, though three years young, doesn't seem to be one I would expect to improve with more age, but that is just a guess from a novice, and I have read contrary opinions. As I stated before, upon opening I really liked this wine, but as it breathed (in my opinion relative to other 2010s I've tasted) it "quickly" declined in flavor, which I would think logically, to my mind, would indicate a less age able wine.
In fact, if I'm opening a red wine that I only intend to taste at that moment, but intending to drink through the next day or two, it will always be a Bordeaux or a Brunello, just because they have such incredible staying power. If I open a Cali red, it is to drink upon opening, though on occasion I am surprised by some Cali reds and their ability to last two or three days and still taste quite good. I know, TMI
Vinogirl, lets be sure we are talking about the Château Dalem Fronsac Grand Vin 2010 Bordeaux!
DeleteLet's face it, a lot of the fun of opening any wine bottle is that we don't know exactly what we'll find within! I used to read a wine blog that was about reviewing all wines tasted over 2 days and how they lasted, or didn't...wonder if I can find it again...
ReplyDeleteVinogirl, I agree with you!
DeleteOh,your latest photo: I love the framing leaf on the left side. F-stop?
We've talked about that blog before( don't remember where or when), and I think it has ceased posting.
When posting articles on wine, wine education, dedication, expense, and perseverance are ramparts to overcome, unless you are a great writer, a hired talent, or have your our own winery, my guess is that most wine blogs just cease due to these hurdles. Being that this is my only hobby gives me the motivation keep going without any compensation other than an artistic expression: "wine is beautiful" is my "pinterest" label, and can be quite fun too. However, the few people that comment are among the highlights of this endeavor. I'm grateful that you take the time to comment, and in some way help to educate those who read this blog.
Sincerely,
Dennis