Château Dalem (Fronsac)

Fronsac is one of Bordeaux`s most underrated appellations, often producing wines of depth and complexity at a fraction of the price of its more prestigious Libournaise neighbours. Château Dalem is arguably the best estate - its 18th century château is perched on a hilltop, while its 14 hectares of vineyards are located on the slopes just below. The wines are predominately Merlot based and are matured in oak barriques, a third of which are renewed annually.

These are deeply coloured, well-structured clarets that are rich in dense, black fruits, often accompanied by spicy, and sometimes chocolate, nuances. They can be drunk young, though tend to show their best with around 5 years of bottle ageing.