2018 de Sales
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Tasting notes
I missed the 2018 Château De Sales in this year’s Bordeaux report but was able to get a bottle from the domaine. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as a beautiful, classic Pomerol nose of earthy red and blue fruits, truffle, damp soil, cedary herbs, and tobacco, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a nicely balanced, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous finish. Building nicely with time in the glass, it marries notable elegance with plenty of richness and is ideal for enjoying any time over the coming 15 years or so.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Château de Sales, from Pomerol’s largest estate in size, has a light nose of brambly red berry fruit, freshly rolled tobacco and earthy aromas. The palate is marked by some dry tannins on the entry, though it appears to gain a little more flesh on the midpalate. A judicious sprinkle of black pepper mixes with that continuing tobacco theme on a finish that tapers in slightly, leaving just a touch of warmth on the aftertaste.
69% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. 18% new oak. Deep crimson. Restrained, slightly earthy dark fruit, perhaps more rocky than earthy. Lively, fresh and with very fine tannins, layered rather than dense, just gently chewy on the finish. Wholesome and nicely dry on the aftertaste. Quite a subtle wine in the context of 2018 but with plenty of fruit. (JH)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 De Sales rocks up with expressive blackberries and black cherries notes with an undercurrent of tilled soil, truffles and mossy bark. Medium to full-bodied, it has a solid structure of ripe, rounded tannins and impressive freshness, finishing with bright black fruit layers.