Château de Sales Château de Sales
Pomerol, France
Vintage:2021 (Current)
2015 (Past) | 2016 (Past) | 2017 (Past) | 2018 (Past) | 2019 (Current) | 2020 (Current) |
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Reviews
Wine Enthusiast 91 Points
This mainly Merlot wine is bright with a plump structure and ripe tannins. It is full, but balanced with fruit and acidity. Drink this generous wine from 2027.
Wine Spectator 90 Points
Offers showy raspberry and blood orange coulis flavors, laced with a racy savory note and carried by lively acidity. Reveals cedar and sanguine hints on the finish, which also has a touch of grain (in line with the vintage), but this has cut and verve. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035.
JamesSuckling.com 91 Points
Subtle white pepper to the vibrant red cherries and red berries. Fine-grained and firm on the medium-bodied palate with some juicy fruit and a medium-length finish. Drink now.
Decanter 92 Points
Smooth and charming, this has a nice focus to it with zesty fresh fruit, raspberry, bright orange, cherry and chalky tannins. I love the ease to it, it’s got power, but delicately poised, still with freshness and a lot of length. Nothing harsh here. Quite charged but really works with such freshness and cooling mint on the finish. Great acidity, not the most layered but really not trying too hard and leaning into the vintage in the best way. Streamlined and a touch lean but this will fill out in time.
Overview
Built in the 17th century, Château de Sales is largest estate in the Pomerol appellation on the Right Bank. The château possesses exceptional beauty and elegance, and the same is true for its wines as they are the true expression of the Pomerol terroir from which they orginate. Located in the northwest corner of Pomerol, it is the only true château building in the appellation and has been owned by the same family for more than five hundred years.
The soils of Château de Sales are comprised of fine gravel and sand, with clay in some areas and an omnipresence of iron oxide, known locally as "crasse de fer". The vineyard of Château de Sales has a surface area of over 200 acres, with vines covering 116 acres. The vines are an average of more than 30 years old.
Winemaking
After de-stemming and crushing, alcoholic fermentation takes place in concrete tanks equipped with temperature regulation. The wine is then aged for 12-18 months in French oak barrels, of which only one third are new, in order to avoid any aggressive wood flavors and to preserve the brightness of the fruit.
Tasting Notes
A beautiful glittering crimson, the wine has a complex and seductive nose on aromas of black fruit, especially black cherry, violet and vanilla. Richly flavored and remarkably well-balanced, it opens with notes of black fruit and subtle spice which fill out on an ample and complex mid-palate sustained by the caress of refined, silky tannins, leading into a long and elegant finish.
Technical Information
Varietals: 82% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon. 2% Cabernet Franc
New Oak: 18% new French oak barrels, 82% barrels from 1 to 2 previous wines
Aging: 12-18 months in French oak barrels