Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesA powerful and intense red with blackberry, blueberry and ultra fine chewy tannins. It’s so long and energetic. Dense center palate.
Barrel Sample: 95-96
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.
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
Barrel Sample: 94
Doctor in pharmacy, Marie-Benedicte Lefevere has taken over the management at Chateau Sansonnet since 2009. It is in the cellars of the family properties in Pomerol and Saint-Emilion that culture and passion for wine was passed on to her. It is now with a lot of ambition and determination that she imagines the future of the production for Chateau Sansonnet, putting all her will and attachment to the property to hoist it to the top of the appellation.
Chateau Sansonnet is located in the North East corner of Saint-Emilion in the heart of the Grands Classified Growths. The exceptional terroir is composed of a thin layer of clay on limestone. Winemaker Dominique Bordeneuve has great experience in winemaking after 20 years at Chateau Sansonnet, it allows the property to rely on a unique knowledge of its terroir and plot. Jean Trias, technical manager, has always been passionate by the world of wine. He held positions and responsibilities in many properties before settling at Chateau Sansonnet in 2000 where he strives to develop the best wines.