Chateau Sansonnet 2021

JAMES SUCKLING: "Excellent freshness and depth here with ripe but very vibrant berries. Spices, cigar box, black chocolate and incense, too. Quite juicy and bright on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Tannins are fresh and polished. Long and expressive finish. There is a “modern” touch here that gives a sense of restrained plushness to the vibrancy. Better from 2024."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Chocolate-coated cherries, licorice and espresso aromas come to the surface effortlessly. On the palate, the wine is supple. creamy and loaded with ripe, black cherries, black raspberries and chocolate that carries from the mid-palate through to the finish. Drink from 2025-2040."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This grand chateau. situated at the summit of the Saint-Émilion plateau, is the home of a stylish wine. With black cherry aromas and ripe tannins, the wine is solid, succulent. Spice and fine black-fruit acidity show potential. Drink from 2027. "

DECANTER: "Smells ripe and quite jammy. Sharp and sour, high toned, raspberry, cherry and strawberry flavours, which move towards savoury minerality with liquorice, wet stone and graphite. It loses the connection a little between the initial flavour and mid palate, almost too ripe and sweet at first, then acidic, then a little dry so this is still a little youthful. Tannins are well integrated though, smooth and supportive so this will provide excellent drinkability when ready. Give this a few years before opening."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Tasted on multiple occasions with consistent results, the 2021 Château Sansonnet is another beautiful wine from this talented team and great terroir. Ripe red and black fruits, graphite, spicy oak, and subtle leafy herb and truffly notes all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a pure, elegant mouthfeel, polished tannins, and a great finish. I love it even today, but it will ideally be given just 2-4 years in the cellar and enjoyed over the following decade. The 2021 is 91% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, raised in 70% new barrels, with a portion in foudre as well as amphora."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach Vanille und Nougat, reife Herzkirschen, süße Pflaumen. Saftig, rotbeerig und frisch, zarte Tannine, Ribiseln, zitronig im Abgang, schlank im Finale."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2021 Sansonnet is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It has notes of baked black plums and blackberry pie, leading to hints of cracked black pepper, dried herbs, and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound, with a racy backbone and lightly chewy tannins, finishing with an herbal lift."