Chateau Sansonnet 2020

Professional Ratings

• 96 Jeb Dunnuck

  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.

• 96 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  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. Barrel Sample: 94-96

• 95 James Suckling

  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. 

• 94 Decanter
  Good stuff, plenty of character, making this enjoyable right from the start. Less subdued and subtle than some but it carries it off, with brambled hawthorn-tinged fruits, with density and depth, but a limestone kick that picks things up through the finish. One to give yourself over to. A yield of 30hl/ha. The Lefevre family are also ones to watch in St-Emilion right now, with their recent investments into Villemaurine and Valandraud.
  Barrel Sample: 94