I am sad to post that one of my best friends in the wine business, and one of the finest wine people I have ever met, died last week.
“Our Ours” (our bear):
Charles ‘Bear’ Dalton was the wine buyer for the Spec’s chain based in Houston. One look provides an eloquent explanation for his nickname. Photos show a heavily-bearded caricature of a Texas cowboy, a guise he wore easily and naturally, but that cloaked a brilliant mind of great breadth, kindness and generosity. The first time I took a group of customers on a bus trip to France, he signed up early. He boarded the bus, garbed from head to toe in ten gallon hat, string tie, denim shirt with pearl buttons and snaps, belt buckle as big as a car grill, worn jeans, hand-tooled leather boots and the Complete Works of Jane Austen tucked firmly under his arm.
He became a good friend over the next 20+ years. We were at complete odds politically and could spend an entire evening arguing politics without either voice rising above the level of quiet conversation. It helped that he was a Christian, an actual believer (I believe), and on the board of directors of Houston’s Episcopal Christ Church Cathedral. Given much latitude by Spec’s, he devoted a great deal of his time to charity, both serving on boards and leading disadvantaged children on trail rides as an experienced group leader, accomplished rider and much less accomplished fireside singer / guitarist.
Slow to anger, he could be implacable when crossed. For over 20 years he worked tirelessly for the huge wine program of the Houston Rodeo. The program donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to educational charities. When he felt the program’s volunteers were not being treated with enough respect, he walked away; plenty of other worthy charities were happy for his attention and the support he had earned and could attract with his name and efforts.
He died of a cancer that was diagnosed about three years ago. I spoke to him after the diagnosis, then a few times after he had surgery and started radiation and chemotherapy. I wished him well, but from 1500 miles away there was nothing I could do for him. I last talked to him almost two years ago and even back then the strain and weakness were taking a toll. He went into hospice a few weeks ago, having fought the good fight for as long as he could.
Bear’s wine knowledge was encyclopedic, but Bordeaux was his strong suit, natural in one of the world’s biggest markets for Classified Bordeaux. His sporadic columns were titled ‘Bear on Wine’ and can be googled. I just re-read his report on the 2018 vintage, beautifully written and based on broad and deep tasting experience. He also knew Champagne well and loved it immoderately (another bond between us). But at Christmas Dinner it will be a glass of well-aged Bordeaux that I will raise in memory of one of the finest and most original wine people I ever had the good luck to meet.
Rest in Peace, Bear.
Dan Kravitz