Château de Sales 2020

Interesting aromatics of herbs and spices, a hint of mocha and pastry, well-judged oak; a touch of bitterness, leading to crisp tannins; shows tension, breed, and character despite its generosity. It should still benefit from some ageing.

A juicy intensity with bright red fruits, delicate and alive in the glass – friendly but with a salty liquorice kick that gives it some seriousness. Lean and direct but polished and clean on the finish. A touch of lingering heat at the end but this has vibrancy and is well structured with clear bite and power.

A full and juicy red with blackberry, black olive, dark chocolate, and hazelnut aromas and flavors. Creamy, round, and deliciously textured. Not a big and powerful wine but very attractive now and for the future. Seductive in so many ways. Merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. Best after 2026.

Full bottle 1,260 g. Some Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Cabernet Franc supporting the principal Merlot. Mid garnet, showing some evolution at the rim. Already quite mature cocoa notes on the nose with some savoury freshness. More 'relaxed' than the Babich Merlot 2020 tasted alongside but with less potential for ageing, I'd suggest. Like a comfortable pair of slippers but without that much ambition. Minty finish. (JR)

The 2020 Château de Sales suggests that my barrel sample was not representative because this shows extremely well. It has a classic cigar box- and cedar-scented bouquet that comes across quite Pauillac-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with soy-infused black fruit. It's quite peppery with gentle grip. It's a nicely proportioned, complex Right Bank wine doing a very good impression of a Left Bank! Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Medium-bodied, soft, forward, fresh and spicy, with a core of sweet, red pit fruits, spice, lift and dusty tannins, with a touch of cocoa and leafy herbs that come in along with the endnote. This is the best vintage of Chateau de Sales I have ever tasted. Drink from 2023-2035.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle ochre lightening on the rim. Fresh red wild berries, nuances of cherries, tangerine zest and liquorice in the background. Juicy, sweet and silky, ripe berry fruit, silky tannins, mineral. Maintains good length; an elegant food companion with certain ageing potential.

I loved the 2020 from Château De Sales from barrel, and it’s showing beautifully from bottle. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a ripe, sexy, medium- to full-bodied style, it has ripe, supple tannins, a layered, balanced mouthfeel, and classic aromas of ripe black cherries, plums, licorice, spring flowers, and damp earth. It’s another beautiful, layered, elegant Pomerol in the vintage that will benefit from 3–4 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly through 2040.

The progress made at this property in recent years is clear, and this is one to look out for. It brings depth and crunch to the bright blue and black fruits, with oyster shell salinity on the finish. Not huge persistency but hard to argue with. No press wine at all for the first time, as the vintage gives natural concentration, 18% new oak.

The 2020 de Sales is composed of 79% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it rolls out with fragrant notes of juicy black plums and blueberry preserves, followed by hints of licorice and tar with a touch of lavender. The full-bodied palate is packed with black fruit preserves and savory accents, supported by plush, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, leading to a finish of great length and freshness on this impressive wine.

89-90

Sales confirms its fine current form with a precise 2020, full-bodied and fleshy, showing a supple mid-palate typical of its terroir. The powdery tannins highlight an underlying freshness, although the élevage is still a little present. A great wine for aging.

A deep, intense nose of ripe black fruits. On the palate, a second burst of fruit, with a slight bitterness to boot. The tannins grab you by the collar like a cheeky rascal, but promise to soften with time.

The 2020 from Château de Sales is the most accomplished since I’ve been tasting this wine. It shows subtlety and complexity. Everything is measured, with a fine sense of precision. The bouquet reveals nuances of red berries, spices, and licorice wood. On the palate, the wine forges a superb link between finesse and richness. It is slender yet dense and, above all, perfectly balanced. A beautiful symbiosis between breadth and character. A wine that highlights the ambitious outlook we’ve set at de Sales.

Focused, attractive fruit with good concentration on a luscious cherry core, wrapped in fine tannins and subtle roasted notes. A very lovely wine that captures the true essence of its terroir.

Dominant Merlot in the blend gives this wine both its richness and its smooth texture. Black fruits and generous acidity are sure to develop well. Drink this fine wine from 2026.