Chateau de Sales 2023

James Suckling: "Very polished and pretty with berry, chocolate and light lemon-peel character. Medium body. Creamy texture. Refined and polished."

Vinum: "Expressiv, viel Frucht, Himbeere, Brombeere, florale Noten, Zimtwürze; am Gaumen seidenweich, rund, füllig, dabei nicht schwerfällig, perfekt reife Frucht, samtige Tannine, schöner Spannungsbogen, Frucht und Struktur harmonieren; im Abgang von eindrücklicher Länge, endet rotfruchtig, hinterlässt ein salines Mundgefühl. Ein Hit."

Decanter: "Plum, saline nose with a bit of slate. Cool fruit, some floral stem and oak-derived toast. The palate of this wine, ageing in 18% new oak, comes across as a clean and light bodied Pomerol, with fine mid palate concentration, pleasant red fruit and smooth tannin. A wine that will provide near term pleasure as one of the most affordable offerings in the appellation."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: "A blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 de Sales has a pH of 3.64 and 13.6% alcohol. It is ageing in 18% new oak barriques and 72% 1- or 2-year-old barrels. It has a deep garnet-purple color and skips out of the glass with bright, cheery scents of kirsch, redcurrant preserves, and black raspberries, followed by hints of red roses and star anise, with a waft of cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is super-soft and juicy, with a good amount of spritely mid-palate fruit and a fragrant, soft-spoken finish. Nicely done!"

Wine Advocate: "Aromas of dark berries, red fruits and cherries mingled with hints of mint and violets introduce the 2023 De Sales, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (which performs well on these terroirs) and 5% Cabernet Franc. Charming, elegant and fruit-driven, if it can make it into bottle without succumbing to the Brettanomyces that inflicted the 2021, it will be well worth seeking out."