Wine Advisor
Sansonnet 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2018 Sansonnet is a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. With 15% alcohol and a deep garnet-purple color, it opens a little broody, offering glimpses at tar and damp earth notes before bursting forth with expressive plum preserves, blueberry pie and licorice scents, followed by hints of cedar chest and pencil lead. Full-bodied, rich and impactful in the mouth, the generous black fruits are nicely framed by firm, rounded tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and earthy.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
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 Trottevieille. It comes from the Sansonnet lieu-dit and is blended of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. With 15% alcohol and a deep purple-black color, the 2018 Sansonnet is a little reticent to begin, opening out to notions of stewed plums, warm cassis, blackberry coulis and fruitcake with hints of grilled meats and fried herbs. Big, rich, full and laden with massive black fruit preserves layers, it has a plush texture and spicy finish.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2018 Sansonnet is super-impressive right out of the gate. In recent years, Sansonnet has been opulent. The 2018 captures all of that richness but also has an extra kick of vibrancy that works so well in balancing things out. The style is still concentrated, and there is plenty of new oak, but it all works so well together. Inky red fruit, chocolate, plum, rose petals and spice linger on the exotic finish. The 2018 is so expressive today. Moreover, it is flat-out delicious.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2018 Sansonnet is gorgeous. Vibrant, delineated and full of character, the 2018 has so much to offer. In 2018, Sansonnet is a bit restrained and yet it possesses terrific depth and energy in its black cherry, chocolate, licorice and menthol flavors. Always a rich wine, in 2018 Sansonnet has a good bit of freshness and that plays off its more overt leanings very nicely. The 2018 feels just a bit less extracted than some previous editions, and that is a good thing. Not to worry, though, there is plenty of richness and concentration. Sansonnet got better and better as my en primeur tastings progressed. The last of the four samples I tasted was the most impressive.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2018 Sansonnet is gorgeous. Vibrant, delineated and full of character, the 2018 has so much to offer. In 2018, Sansonnet is a bit restrained and yet it possesses terrific depth and energy in its black cherry, chocolate, licorice and menthol flavors. Always a rich wine, in 2018 Sansonnet has a good bit of freshness and that plays off its more overt leanings very nicely. The 2018 feels just a bit less extracted than some previous editions, and that is a good thing. Not to worry, though, there is plenty of richness and concentration. Sansonnet got better and better as my en primeur tastings progressed. The last of the four samples I tasted was the most impressive.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Sansonnet was impressive in barrel and remains so in bottle. It has an intense, opulent bouquet of layered black cherry and blueberry fruit and crème de cassis, yet it manages to retain fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent black fruit, sweet and maybe a little glossy in style, but it has a marvelous, penetrating finish. I suspect this may close down, so either drink soon or cellar for several years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Sansonnet has a pure and opulent bouquet with luscious dark cherry, blueberry and iodine aromas that seems well integrated with the new oak. Modern in style, but nicely executed. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannins. There is good body here, velvety smooth with a deep and caressing blueberry and cassis-tinged finish that is irresistible. This is a gorgeous, sensual Saint-Émilion from the Lefévère family.
About the Producer
Chateau Sansonnet is located in the northeast of the medieval town of Saint-Emilion in Bordeaux, France. The same high-quality soil as a winery. The winery has only one plot of land, with an area of 7 hectares, surrounding the winery. Château Sansault dates back at least to the 19th century, when it was the property of the Duke of Decazes, Prime Minister of King Louis XVIII of France. Today, the old castle has been restored and decorated in the elegant style typical of the castle of Saint-Emilion. In 2009, Marie-Benedicte Lefevere took over the management of Sansault. Although Lefèvre has a doctorate in pharmacy, her main interest is wine. As a child, she was exposed to the family's wine cellars in Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, and from then on, winemaking became her lifelong pursuit. She has great ambitions for winemaking and has a deep love for her own winery. In order to improve Sansso Winery to a veritable top winery status, she is determined and tireless. For a long time, the winery's grape planting ratio was 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, but now the winery is gradually increasing the proportion of Cabernet Franc. In pursuit of the highest quality, the winery is working on a steady transformation of the vineyards, the transformation focuses on the mixing of different grape varieties on the same land, which includes controlling the height of the vines and changing and growing according to the vines to carefully adjust the work of the vineyard. In addition to the renovation of the vineyard, Sanso Winery is also currently improving and updating the winery building and winemaking equipment. Not only have the barrel room and wine cellar been completely renovated, but also small cones have been added. stainless steel tanks and two grape sorting tables. These are very beneficial to the fermentation and brewing work of the grapes. In addition, the winery's cellar for wine maturation is also equipped with air conditioning. The winemaking method of Sanso Winery fully combines the characteristics of the vineyard itself. After the grapes are harvested, a part of the grapes are taken for pre-fermentation and frozen maceration. This process takes 6 days and the temperature is strictly maintained at 5 °C. The track-type automatic lower pressure fermentation tank owned by the winery makes the fermentation process of the grapes more complete. After this, hot dip is carried out. The wine is then aged for 12 to 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels, which includes a malolactic fermentation process. This original winemaking method was designed by the winemaker Jean-Philippe Fort, who came from the team of the famous winemaker Michel Roland.
