Chateau de Sales 2019

There is a combination of floral and earthy character here, with aromas of ripe dark and blue fruit and hints of licorice, nutshell and wet earth. Cigar box, too. Medium-bodied, chewy and lingering with bright, vibrant fruit. It has a firm, savoury finish with hints of crushed stones. Very typical and true to its terroir. Best from 2024.

The 2019 De Sales has a deep garnet-purple colour, rolling effortlessly out of the glass with impressively intense baked cherries, plum preserves and fruitcake scents with nuances of potpourri, and licorice, chocolate box and fragrant earth. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of ripe, seductive black fruit preserves, framed by rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

Bristling blueberry fruits, softening into raspberry and blackberry through the mid-palate. Apparent austerity at this point but a lovely supple feel overall and an impressively focused and sleek finish with touches of salt crackers. Enjoyable de Sales, a softer approach to the vintage than some Pomerols but one that will give lots of pleasure and is provided savoury focus by the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc. 15% new oak.