2020 Sansonnet

Another head-turning vintage from this château, the 2020 Château Sansonnet is based on 95% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, from yields of 36 hectoliters per hectare, that was raised in 80% new barrels. Possessing incredible purity in its black raspberry and cassis fruit as well as notes of white flowers, camphor, and spicy oak, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, polished, ultra-fine tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. This estate, under the guidance of Marie and Christophe Lefévère, has had a shocking string of truly incredible vintages, and given that these continue to be undervalued in the market, it's the wine lovers and wine drinkers out there who benefit. If you get a chance, don't miss this beauty.

The 2020 Sansonnet has a powerful nose, ripe black cherries, cassis and pressed violet aromas, and touches of orange zest. It has not the delineation I was hoping for from barrel. The palate is medium-bodied but quite muscular on the entry, though the acidity is well judged, and it obtains more detail and elegance towards the citrus-driven finish. There is a bit of rigidity here that needs to become more malleable with time. Give this 4-5 years in bottle. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

The 2020 Sansonnet is one of the best wines here in recent memory. Ample and explosive in feel, the 2020 offers up copious dark fruit, chocolate, spice and new leather notes. There's not much subtlety, but I don't think it matters much. This full-throttle, unabashedly opulent Saint-Émilion is lights out. Tasted two times.