CHATEAU SANSONNET Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion 2020 Bottle

Description

Château Sansonnet is located at the very top of the Saint-Emilion plateau. Its exceptional soil consists of a thin layer of clay over limestone. The vineyard covers a single 7-hectare (17-acre) plot that surrounds the chateau. A dominant 85% proportion of Merlot is blended with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wine, which has great keeping potential, displays an intense ruby colour. When aired, it releases aromas of sour cherry and blackcurrant. Big on the attack, it evolves harmoniously on the palate towards an expression of fine tannins with a ripe fruit flavour.

THE WINE ADVOCATE (94 - 96) points
Drink Date: 2026 - 2045
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Issue Date: 20th May 2021, Source: May 2021 Week 3, The Wine Advocate
"Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Sansonnet needs a bit of swirling and coaxing to release its beguiling nose of black cherry preserves, bursting ripe blueberries and stewed plums, with hints of star anise, violets, dark chocolate and cardamom, plus a waft of wood smoke. The rich, decadent, full-bodied palate (15% alcohol) delivers impactful, mouth-coating black fruits, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with lingering exotic spices notes.

This 35+-year-old, 6.96-hectare vineyard is planted to 6,000 vines per hectare on thin clay and limestone soils atop the Saint-Émilion plateau, just across the road from Château Trotte Vieille. This 2020 blend is 95% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, aging for around 16 months in French oak barrels, 80% new."

JAMES SUCKLING 95-96 Points
23 Apr, 2021 – "A powerful and intense red with blackberry, blueberry and ultra fine chewy tannins. It’s so long and energetic. Dense center palate."

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by Jane Anson (at Primeur week tastings in Bordeaux, 01 May 2021)
"Good stuff, plenty of character, making this enjoyable right from the start. Less subdued and subtle than some but it carries it off, with brambled hawthorn-tinged fruits, with density and depth, but a limestone kick that picks things up through the finish. One to give yourself over to. A yield of 30hl/ha. The Lefevre family are also ones to watch in St-Emilion right now, with their recent investments into Villemaurine and Valandraud. Drinking Window 2027 - 2040."

JANCIS ROBINSON 16.5+
Drink: 2025 - 2038
Cask sample. "Very pronounced deep, dark-fruit-led nose. A refined palate with plenty of cedary oak. Firm but tightly wound tannins and a ferrous and iron-tinged note on the pepper-laden finish. Really attractive and has good freshness – bravo!"