2020 Chateau Sansonnet

Super saturated inky black in colour with a deep dark red black hue. Pronounced aromas of blackcurrant infused with graphite are trailed by some dusty earth, spicy cedar and tobacco notes. Bold, powerful and firmly built, the full bodied palate is decorated with rich blackcurrant and liquorice fruits which are underscored by drying graphite like tannins. Robust mouthfeel with spicy vanillin cedar, earth and tobacco characters lying underneath. Concludes firm, long and chewy yet deeply fruited.
Cellar 6-8 years plus.
Alc. 15%

Other Reviews....
Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Sansonnet needs a bit of swirling and coaxing to release its beguiling nose of black cherry preserves, bursting ripe blueberries and stewed plums, with hints of star anise, violets, dark chocolate and cardamom, plus a waft of wood smoke. The rich, decadent, full-bodied palate (15% alcohol) delivers impactful, mouth-coating black fruits, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with lingering exotic spices notes.
This 35+-year-old, 6.96-hectare vineyard is planted to 6,000 vines per hectare on thin clay and limestone soils atop the Saint-Émilion plateau, just across the road from Château Trotte Vieille. This 2020 blend is 95% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, aging for around 16 months in French oak barrels, 80% new. Drink: 2026-2045.
94-96 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (May 2021)

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. Drink: 2025-2035.
96 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

Notes of ripe blackberries and blueberries with black licorice, tree bark, chocolate and moist earth. Medium- to full-bodied and dense. It has layers of ultra-fine tannins wrapping up the deep core of dark fruit. Structured and velvety with a long finish. Try after 2026.
95 points
James Suckling

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. Drink; 2025-2040.
96 points
Jeb Dunnuck

Inky in color, the wine is opaque in your glass. Strong notes of licorice, wet earth, chocolate-covered black raspberries, smoke, espresso and charcoal create the nose. The wine is full-bodied, plush, opulent and sensuous. Even, with all its weight and density, the wine is silky, fresh and vibrant. The voluptuous finish builds and expands with wave after wave of dark, hedonistic fruits. This is a superb wine that should age and develop for at least 2 decades.
95-97 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

Ripe, fleshy and mouthcoating, this packs a punch in terms of flavour, concentration, acidity and tannins. Everything is on show. Minty liquorice is dominant, so you get quite a lot of wood spice and bitter elements which do detract a little from the fruit, although this is a bold, brooding and characterful wine. Rich and heady. A blockbuster that just manages to stay on the right side of being too much. One to watch. Drink: 2025-2042.
94 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter